New clubs for gay students in isolated Utah City

Gay-Straight Alliances at 3 local high schools in St. George, Utah (pop. 73,000) can finally meet in this conservative, largely Mormon city, which means dozens of gay students and their supporters can legally support each other.

Last year, only 9 HS in Utah had active Gay-Straight Alliances – now the number has reached 32. The new groups are part of a drastic rise this Fall in the number of clubs in Utah, reflecting new activism by gay and lesbian students.

It is a turning point in the state, where administrators, teachers and even the Legislature have tried for years to block support groups for gay youths. St. George is a city located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Utah.

(via NYTimes.com)