Why a Formerly Homophobic Utah Resident Is Starting the "Pride Empathy Line"

by Brandon Miller · 2011-01-17 06:15:00 UTC
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A formerly homophobic Utah resident is starting a pride phone line in the state.

Say what? It's not every day you come across people who are willing to say that they are/have been homophobic. And it is certainly not every day that one of said people sees the error of their ways.

Melanie Squire used to discriminate against the LGBT community. She freely admits that. But then she  took a class with her husband at Salt Lake Community College to learn more about gay and lesbian people and their lives. She kept an open mind, was clearly born with an open heart, and now she is working hard in her community to show that she is a true ally.

“I have two sisters who are gay and I’m from a religion that — what’s the best way to describe this? — is not very pro-gay,” Squire says. "One of my sisters had a partner and for about 10 years, I was discriminative to her partner because I didn’t believe in their lifestyle. My husband and I decided to take an LGBT class at the community college and it kind of changed our lives. We realized the way we’d been treating this community was wrong, and I thought, ‘What can I do to pay it forward?’”

Squire is making change by starting the "Pride Empathy Line," a Utah-based hotline for those questioning their sexuality. It will run 24-hours a day and will be staffed by volunteers. Squire has already been able to line-up 5o people to man the phones.

There are certain citizens that are of particular concern to the newfound LGBT activist. Squire would like to reach youth in the community, in particular those who are considering or have attempted suicide, and those who have a lack of support. She notes homeless LGBT youth as a prime target of her efforts.

“Regardless of your past or religion, we can all need more empathy and that’s what this line is about,” Squire says.

The hotline will launch on February 1st, and volunteers will be trained starting mid-January. According to its Facebook page, which has nearly 300 friends, this is the first LGBT hotline ever to run in Utah. To reach the hotline, call 801-GO-PRIDE.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Brandon Miller is a freelance writer and editor from Toronto, Ontario.
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