Hello from Equality Utah!
All of us at Equality Utah, the state’s LGBTQ political action, advocacy organization, are delighted that Salt Lake City is hosting the 2023 HSNI.
For two decades, we’ve been working to secure equal rights and protections for LGBTQ Utahns and their families by passing historic legislation and by finding common ground with our neighbors. Over the past several years, Utah has made enormous strides toward equity and inclusion. 2015’s Utah Compromise put into law housing and employment protections for LGBTQ Utahn’s 5 years before we had those rights federally. In 2020 we banned the harmful practice of conversion therapy for minors, the first conservative state to do so. These improvements to statewide laws and to company policies have shifted the culture in Utah. Our state has many out LGBTQ elected officials and downtown Salt Lake City has over twenty blocks named after the venerable gay icon -- Harvey Milk.
We all know Utah has incredible outdoors but did you know that Gallup polls named Salt Lake City, the 7th gayest city in the nation? We’re gayer per capita than Manhattan or LA!
We look forward to collaborating with you and planning lots of awesome events for locals in our community and our allies to support the games.
Looking forward to June!
Mindy Young
Managing Director, Equality Utah
HSNI Commitment
The High School National Invite and host disc organization Utah Ultimate stand in support of LGBTQ+ players, families, and community members. We believe in inclusion, acceptance, and kindness, and we stand against laws that target transgender people, including those in Utah.
We are committed to the following:
1) We will be making a significant donation to an LGBTQ Organization, in conjunction with the 2023 HSNI.
2) We will feature pro-LGBTQ+ merchandise options and signage at the event
3) We encourage coaches and players to express inclusion through their jerseys, clothing, or other forms of self-expression
Additionally, the HSNI has a zero-tolerance policy for any harassing comments towards players, coaches, other parents, or organizers. This will include the removal of offending persons and the potential disqualification for an entire team if the team's parents or supporters behave inappropriately. We will have tournament staff walking the sidelines of games to ensure that all players, coaches, and families are treated respectfully.
We are adhering to the USA Ultimate Gender Inclusion Policy for rostering rules. Players are able to compete in the division where they feel most comfortable. Utah's legally-challenged legislation barring transgender girls from playing in the girls' division of sports in interscholastic competition does not apply to either the Utah-based ultimate teams or anyone else attending the tournament.
We believe that Salt Lake City is a kind and welcoming metropolis and that bringing the highest level of youth ultimate competition there is a statement of strength about ultimate's commitment to inclusiveness in a state that hasn't historically met that bar. The city is home to a thriving LGBTQ+ population; Utah's Pride festival will be taking place in town just before HSNI. Salt Lake City received the maximum score from the Human Rights Campaign in its 2021 Municipal Equality Index.
We look forward to welcoming everyone to the 2023 HSNI!
We are committed to the following:
1) We will be making a significant donation to an LGBTQ Organization, in conjunction with the 2023 HSNI.
2) We will feature pro-LGBTQ+ merchandise options and signage at the event
3) We encourage coaches and players to express inclusion through their jerseys, clothing, or other forms of self-expression
Additionally, the HSNI has a zero-tolerance policy for any harassing comments towards players, coaches, other parents, or organizers. This will include the removal of offending persons and the potential disqualification for an entire team if the team's parents or supporters behave inappropriately. We will have tournament staff walking the sidelines of games to ensure that all players, coaches, and families are treated respectfully.
We are adhering to the USA Ultimate Gender Inclusion Policy for rostering rules. Players are able to compete in the division where they feel most comfortable. Utah's legally-challenged legislation barring transgender girls from playing in the girls' division of sports in interscholastic competition does not apply to either the Utah-based ultimate teams or anyone else attending the tournament.
We believe that Salt Lake City is a kind and welcoming metropolis and that bringing the highest level of youth ultimate competition there is a statement of strength about ultimate's commitment to inclusiveness in a state that hasn't historically met that bar. The city is home to a thriving LGBTQ+ population; Utah's Pride festival will be taking place in town just before HSNI. Salt Lake City received the maximum score from the Human Rights Campaign in its 2021 Municipal Equality Index.
We look forward to welcoming everyone to the 2023 HSNI!