The Salt Lake Tribune bungled its report on the upcoming District 2 campaigns by failing to detail the accomplishments of candidate Moroni Benally.
By labeling Benally merely as a “gay ex-Mormon Navajo activist,” The Tribune turned Benally, a deft, experienced activist and researcher, into a niche candidate capable of representing only a few people.
As a good friend of Benally, I know he embraces his queerness and his indigeneity. When Benally’s identities intersect with his knack for leadership, they enable him to reach out to every walk of life, collaborating with them in confronting injustices and transforming society.
Not only has Benally rallied the city council to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but he has also elucidated the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, trans people and two-spirits.
With more than 10 years of lobbying national, state and local governments, Benally has worked with tribal and U.S. officials alike.
Benally has the experience, vision and tenacity to represent the diverse population of District 2. With him as a city council member, District 2’s voters will have an ally who will boldly resist an indifferent status quo and empower marginalized voices throughout Salt Lake City.
Stephen Michael Christian, Salt Lake City