(St. George, UT) - (UPDATED WITH PICTURES MAY 21, 2012) - The Equality Utah Celebration event, to be held at the Coyote Gulch Art Village in Kayenta on May 19th, was launched last year to help increase raise awareness and funds for developing a presence for anprovide education and advocacy programs in Southern Utah. Linda Stay, Southern Utah field coordinator for Equality Utah, said the evening is designed to “truly celebrate the beauty of life.”

Last year’s inaugural Equality Utah celebration Celebration sold out to 270 guests weeks prior to the event, so local community members are advised to purchase tickets early. “This year, we are growing the event to make room for everyone who wants to come and celebrate,” Stay said. “Our purpose is to create a better, safer and kinder community for our LGBT friends, neighbors, parents and children.”

Equality Utah is the state’s largest advocacy and policy organization and works to secure equal rights and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Utahns and their families.

For more information about the May 19 Equality Utah event, or to purchase tickets, go to www.equalityutah.org/equalitycelebration.com. Festivities commence at 5:30 p.m. at Coyote Gulch Art Village in Kayenta/Ivins