The 'Torch of Freedom Award' is a prestigious award presented by the ACLU of Utah to individuals or organizations whose unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions have significantly advanced the cause of civil rights and liberties in Utah.

About Under the Umbrella Bookstore

Welcome to Under the Umbrella Bookstore, Salt Lake City’s only all-queer bookstore! That means all of the 10,000+ books on our shelves are written by LGBTQIA+ authors and/or have queer representation in their stories. We also carry tons of queer gifts and swag—like flags, stickers, pins, candles, tote bags, and cards—all from queer-owned brands and local queer artists.

The bookstore opened in the fall of 2021, and the coffee shop opened 2 years later. We're located in downtown Salt Lake City, and aim to be not just a bookstore but also a safe, sober, and accessible community space for all that fall under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella! We host queer book clubs, markets, and events, and even have rentable space for private and public events.

The majority of banned books are by queer and/or BIPOC authors–so as an all-LGBTQIA+ bookstore that also prioritizes authors of color, we quite literally exist in the face of censorship, especially in a state like Utah, where more anti-transgender and anti-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) laws are passed each year.

Of course, there are many more organizations and businesses pushing back against censorship and creating important spaces for queer and and BIPOC communities in Salt Lake, including the Nuanua Collective, Burning Sissy Valley, Black, Bold and Brilliant, the Utah Black Artist Collective, Project Rainbow, and Genderbands to name just a few. I look forward to continuing to support each other's work creating more spaces where we feel welcome, supported and celebrated!

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