Of course, it doesn’t have to be parade week to celebrate pride and inclusivity.

In fact, the city’s been listed by Advocate magazine as one of the Ten Queerest Cities in America (gayer than L.A.-take that, Southern Cali!) … The city holds one of the biggest and best-attended Pride parades and festivals around, with Pride Week festivities attracting tens of thousands of participants who light up the downtown scene in full rainbow-hued regalia. In a state known for its religious zeal, Salt Lake City serves as a bastion of progressiveness, playfulness, and pride. Sure, a statue of the Mormon angel Moroni stands prominent watch over downtown Salt Lake City, but he might trade his trumpet for dancing shoes if he realized what a fantastic LGBTQ-friendly nightlife the town has today.

Drink it In: Salt Lake’s Gay Bar Scene Is Growing, Thriving, and Never Looking Back