Utah is not the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of Broadway. Geographically, culturally, historically—New York City’s Broadway is far, far from Utah. But some of its earliest and brightest stars came from this very state. Its queerest stars too, it turns out!

Drag isn’t just entertainment—it’s storytelling, gender play, and queer liberation all rolled into one. For Salt Lake City performer Hardy Harr, embracing drag meant stepping into a role that allowed him to laugh louder and understand himself more completely.

Aspen Tracey (they/she) is a Salt Lake-based visual artist, specializing in oil painting and graphic design. Their work is uniquely striking, utilizing a blend of traditional art with digital design—and as a queer artist, their creative work is an integral part of understanding their own identity and building a meaningful community in the Salt Lake area.

At the corner of 5th West and 2nd South sits Under the Umbrella—a “queer little bookstore.” Since it opened in 2021, Under the Umbrella has welcomed countless people through its doors, where it offers a safe space for all of Utah’s LGBTQ+ community.

In a place like this where the queer community grows each day, connection is key. Finding your people, your support systems, and your safe spaces gives you the freedom to be your authentic self, even in the face of hardships. 

That’s where Out + About comes in.