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- Thousands gathered in Salt Lake City Saturday for Transgender Day of Visibility celebration.
- The event featured the world's largest transgender flag, organized by Utah Pride Center.
- Participants hope to inspire others amidst new law banning pride flags in schools.
SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands of people took to the streets Saturday in downtown Salt Lake City for Transgender Day of Visibility, an annual event on March 31 celebrating the lives of trans and nonbinary people.
This included unfurling the world's largest transgender flag, a symbol at the center of a controversial new law set to take effect later this spring.
The event was organized by the Utah Pride Center and The Glitter Foundation.
"Events like this are really important to let people in our community and in the trans community know that there are people there that support them, that are there to fight for them and care about them, and that they'll show up in incredible numbers," said Chad Call, executive director at Utah Pride Center.
The event started with a rally at the Utah State Capitol, then a march down State Street with transgender Utahns and allies carrying a massive 200-by-30-foot flag. This follows the recent passing of HB77, which bans all but a select few flags, including pride flags, in public schools and on government property.
"Even though our governments may not be able to fly pride flags or trans flags, we can," Call said.
September McKinnon was one of those carrying the flag.
"I'm out here today because I am a big advocate for trans rights," she said. "My goal is for people to feel like they aren't alone, and that love wins."
Those marching today said they hope they'll inspire others to use their voices.
"We just need to be willing to stand up and fight our fights, and this is my way of doing it," said Colton Stettler.
"I grew up in Utah and I thought I was the only queer person, and I was so wrong," said Angel Showalter. "It's really touching just to see the visibility for a community that just wants to exist and thrive and live. Trans lives matter. They always have, they always will."
Another Transgender Day of Visibility celebration will be held on Monday, March 31, from 5-9 p.m. in West Valley City.
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