After a disagreement over a masking policy, a new host will put on David Archuleta’s upcoming book tour stop in Utah.
Previously, Under the Umbrella, an LGBTQ+ bookstore in Salt Lake City, was set to host the Feb. 24 event at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, a week after the release of Archuleta’s memoir, “Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself.“
On Tuesday, the bookstore announced it would no longer host the event because it and Archuleta’s team “could not come to an agreement on the masking policy for this event.”
“UTU always strives to prioritize accessibility and community care, which includes requiring masks for all guests in our store and at our off-site events,” the store said in its cancellation statement.
In response to a request for comment on the disagreement, a representative for Archuleta said, “We are excited to have a great event at Utah Museum of Fine Arts.”
The King’s English Bookshop will now host the event. The date, time and venue remain unchanged.
A representative for The King’s English said the store is “happy to help out our friends at UTU.” The new host’s page for the event does not mention a masking requirement.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Kori Anne Lucero shops at Under the Umbrella in 2022.
Under the Umbrella, which opened in 2021, quickly became a community gathering space for the LGBTQ+ community. Accessibility is one of the key tenets of the business, and part of that is requiring masks in the store at all times.
Archuleta’s memoir chronicles his journey of being a closeted gay member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a global pop star, and, eventually, an openly queer man. The book’s release follows Archuleta’s embrace of his identity through his music.
Jessi Draper from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” will be in conversation with Archuleta at his Utah event. Tickets cost $37.51 including fees and come a copy of the book.
There will be an audience Q&A portion and a photo line as well. The King’s English will create a place for attendees to submit questions ahead of the event.
Archuleta’s book tour is scheduled to visit five other cities.