LGBTQ+ Issues

Crystal and Kylen were in a same sex relationship, obviously, since they were both women and they were married to each other. One of the speculations about this case is regarding whether their murders could have been a hate crime. What I mean by that, is a crime against them based on their sexual orientation and sexual expression. I've been told there is a significant Native American influence in the Moab area. Moab is just a few miles south of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. A recent article outlines that sometimes, just like in non-Native communities, there is an intolerance toward LGBTQ+ identifying individuals (Avery). The article theorizes the reason for this intolerance is the "Christianization" of Native Americans. In fact, the article states, "If LGBTQ people get assaulted or beaten up in a hate crime on tribal land, it’s often not prosecuted." Note that "Tribes are sovereign nations with their own laws and regulations" in Utah (Avery). In the article, Avery notes that urban LBGTQ+ Native Americans are able to find others to connect with, "but on the reservations and the rural surrounding areas, they can be ostracized, made fun of and pushed out to the fringes.”

On Nov. 10, it was reported that a teen, who was referred to as both a he and a she in news reports, was missing. This report eminatated from the Grand County, Utah Sheriff's office. A report on twitter stated he/she had suicide ideation and was endangered. The teen was located safe as announced by the Sheriff, on Nov. 11, 2021.