Steven Kapp Perry, once silenced by the words of a former Brigham Young University (BYU) president, now openly embraces his identity as a gay man while working at BYU. This changing landscape at the university was marked by a gathering of over 150 members of the Provo community, largely LGBTQ+ BYU students and recent graduates. They gathered to recognize both the ongoing struggles and the strides made within the campus community. The annual gathering, held recently, saw the participants reflecting on their experiences. Freshman Kate Wickham, embracing the metaphor of progress, likened their journey to "two steps forward, one step back," acknowledging setbacks while affirming their forward momentum. The event led to a march to a nearby park for a drag show. Against the backdrop of the Latter-day Saint temple, students donned rainbow attire, expressing their identities boldly. However, recent announcements, such as the requirement for incoming freshmen to read a controversial speech by Latter-day Saint apostle Jeffrey Holland, have created concerns among students. Holland notoriously encouraged members to protect “marriage as the union of a man and a woman.” His remarks were met with resistance from LGBTQ+ students, who voiced concerns about revisiting past harm. However, BYU still maintains prohibitions on same-sex romantic behavior, with potential disciplinary actions for violators. The recent rally is a display of the complex journey toward inclusivity at BYU, with students advocating for acceptance and recognition while confronting institutional barriers. #Students & Youth Culture