When many people think of Salt Lake City, they think of Mormons, conservatism, and the Wasatch Mountains. Although all three of those things are present in the city, gay travellers should not be put off; there are many attractions and huge natural beauty in the area, as well as a large and liberal gay and lesbian population.
Culture
There is a distinctly American emphasis on the history of Salt Lake City, and you can scarcely move through the city without seeing or hearing some reference to the city’s founding father, Brigham Young, who guided his band of travelling Mormons to the spot where the city grew up and said “this is the place”. So, a visit to the city wouldn’t be complete without a look at some of these historic sites, such as This Is The Place Heritage Park, which encompasses a 450-acre living museum, or the famous Temple Square. For art-lovers, there’s the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, which includes impressive collections of Western, modern and tribal art, as well as important travelling exhibitions. The mark of the Olympics just a few years ago is still present in the form of the Olympic Legacy Cauldron Park, where you can read the giant panels of information about the games and watch a dramatic film about the event itself.
There are countless gay bars and clubs to let your hair down in since the relaxation of the city’s unique alcohol restrictions. For a mixed crowd with an eco-friendly twist, try JAM, a green gay bar with bamboo floors and natural stone bar tops for that organic, back to nature feel. The older gay community, from 50+, might feel more at home at The Trapp, a relaxed and homely gay bar that plays country music and sells cheap beer. Trapp Door, next door to Trapp, attracts a younger crowd of gays and lesbians, and offers dancing and male strippers. Lesbians can check out MoDiggetty’s, a bar that offers poker and karaoke, or Paper Moon, a lesbian club with friendly staff and plenty of dancing on weekends.
Equality
Homosexuality is not discriminated against much in the state of Utah, but gay marriage remains a hot topic, as with most other states in the union.
Travel Information
Buses run to Salt Lake City from Las Vegas, San Francisco, Denver and Seattle. You can fly directly into Salt Lake City International Airport, or take the train from Chicago or California.
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