SLC Council issues statement on UTA Pride bus being pulled from parade

Jun 9, 2023, 10:35 AM | Updated: 12:45 pm

A pride-wrapped UTA bus will no longer make an appearance at the downtown Pride Parade in Salt Lake City. (UTA Twitter)

(UTA Twitter)

BY AMIE SCHAEFFER

Digital Content Producer

SALT LAKE CITY — Members of the Salt Lake City Council are speaking out in light of revelations that Utah lawmakers pressured UTA to pull a Pride-wrapped bus from last weekend's Pride parade.

According to texts obtained by KSL NewsRadio, the messages were sent to UTA board member Beth Holbrook asking for UTA to "re-evaluate" and issue a formal apology for the bus.

In response, the Salt Lake City Council issued a statement Thursday to voice their "deep concern and disappointment about the complaints made by legislators that led to the removal of the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) pride-wrapped bus…"

The council applauded the efforts of UTA to use the bus as a symbol of inclusion and support for the LGBTQIA+ community that "continues to face unique challenges and often encounters prejudice right here in the Utah cities they love dearly."

The letter noted that lawmakers represent all Utahns and addressed the request for an apology from the UTA.

"Lawmakers asking for an apology from UTA reinforce the message that government systems can decide that some people do not belong; it reminds us of Rosa Parks being expected to give up her seat for a white passenger."

The letter was signed by members, Darin Mano, chair, District Five; Alejandro Puy, District Two; and Chris Wharton, District Three.

The Pride-themed wrap was reportedly donated to UTA.

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