The announcement that the Sundance Film Festival will leave Utah after 2026 is deeply felt by many in our community. For decades, Sundance has brought global attention to Park City, showcasing independent film, elevating underrepresented voices, and creating a space where storytelling could challeng e, connect, and inspire.As members of Summit Pride, we are especially aware of how meaningful that space has been for LGBTQ+ Utahns. The festival has long been a cultural touchstone — a place where queer stories were not only told, but celebrated. For many in our community, Sundance wasn’t just about film; it was about visibility, belonging and the sense that there was a place for us in the heart of Utah.It is not lost on us that this departure comes at a time when the state has enacted a ban on pride flags displayed on government buildings and property. While the festival’s decision was likely shaped by many factors, this legislation casts a long shadow. Over the last two legislative sessions, LGBTQ+ Utahns — particularly our transgender neighbors — have faced an onslaught of harmful rhetoric and policy. These anti-trans attacks, combined with restrictions on symbols of inclusion, narrow the space where people feel safe, seen, and valued. For LGBTQ+ people, especially young people growing up in Utah, these are not abstract issues. They are daily reminders of how welcome — or unwelcome — we are in our own communities.That’s why this moment is more than just the end of a festival run. It raises broader questions about the kind of Utah we want to live in, and the values we choose to elevate in our public life. Sundance brought the world to Park City every January, but it also reflected something back to us about who we are and what we stand for. Its departure should challenge us to ensure that the spirit of inclusion it helped foster does not leave with it.Park City has long stood out in Utah as a place that embraces diversity and fosters community. We are proud to call it home. And while Sundance’s departure is a loss, we know our commitment to inclusion doesn’t end with a festival. It continues in the ways we show up for one another every day.This June, Summit Pride will encourage residents and businesses throughout the Wasatch Back to display pride flags as a visible show of support during our Raise the Flag campaign. When we raise the flag, we’re sending a message that everyone is welcome in our community — that no matter who you are or whom you love, you belong here. Because when the symbols of inclusion are restricted in official spaces, the responsibility falls to all of us to make sure they’re still present in our community.We are grateful for all that Sundance brought to Utah, and we remain hopeful about what comes next — for our town, for our state, and for the stories still waiting to be told.The Board of Summit Pride Foundation Park CityThe post Who will we be? appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less