Provo • Utah LGBTQ groups have been quietly accepted into a prominent July Fourth festival in conservative Provo after being denied for years.
The Daily Herald in Provo reports that five groups marched in the America's Freedom Festival parade last year, but only after an initial refusal and high-profile dispute.
County officials threatened to pull $100,000 in taxpayer money from the privately-organized event until the groups were allowed to participate.
This year, all four groups that applied were accepted to march in parade festivities. Freedom Festival Executive Director Paul Warner says the process was smooth.