Eric Hamren of the Utah Pride Center trains student organizers. Last January, nine high schools in Utah had active Gay-Straight Alliances; last month, 32 did.

By ERIK ECKHOLM

ST. GEORGE, Utah - Some disapproving classmates called members of the new club Satanists. Another asked one of the girls involved, 'Do you have a disease?'

But at three local high schools here this fall, dozens of gay students and their supporters finally convened the first Gay-Straight Alliances in the history of this conservative, largely Mormon city. It was a turning point here and for the state, where administrators, teachers and even the Legislature have tried for years to block support groups for gay youths, calling them everything from inappropriate to immoral.

full story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/us/02utah.html?_r=2&hp

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