When Mormon pioneers rolled into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, they brought with them a new theology, a short but intense history of persecution, and dreams of a new kind of society. 166 years later, Salt Lake City remains deeply influenced by Mormon culture, but defies easy categorization. With a large and politically active gay scene, one of the biggest Polynesian populations in the country, and a steady stream of new migrants, the city is full of vibrant contradiction—and sometimes conflict. From progressive Mormons working to heal the rift between the historically anti-gay church and the LGBT community, to young Shoshone computer programmers who’ve created the first-ever video game in their native language, to a pioneering podcast produced in a secure care facility for youth, we’ll explore how some of the city’s most entrenched institutions are being stretched and adapted to fit the modern moment.
This edition of State of the Re:UNION aired on Friday May 23, 2014 at 10 AM and 8 PM.
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