Brody's Notes... New Direct Action LGBT Group Starts In Utah

Graphic Courtesy Of Pride In Utah

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) OCT 20 | The newest direct action LGBT group, The Justice Vanguard, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, interrupted the live broadcast of the gubernatorial  debate last night between gubernatorial candidates, Utah Governor Gary Herbert (R) and the Democratic Mayor of Salt Lake City & County,  Peter Corroon. The group shouted messages about the recent LGBT youth suicides before being hauled off by security. 

The Justice Vanguard, founded by Pride In Utah's organiser Eric Ethington along with Maren Lacy and Daniel Argueta interrupted the debate as Governor Herbert was speaking. The debate was setup townhall-style for questions from the audience, but all questioners were pre-screened, as were their questions.
Midway through, a member of The Justice Vanguard stood and let his voice be heard yelling,

“Governor Herbert, you have frequently pledged against a state-wide non discrimination policy, telling LGBT youth that they are 2nd class. Here are some that have heard your message, now what are you going to do about it?”

Then one-by-one, 7 other members of the group stood up from different places in the auditorium with signs displaying the victims and shouted the names of 7 youth who’ve taken their own lives. Security reacted quickly and grabbed each member and hauled them out the doors amid cheers from the audience.