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March 10, 2006
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH | Years of speculation was confirmed today when the Deseret Morning News ran a story outing Utah's newest rail transit project, the "FrontRunner" commuter rail system. The name, which was picked by planners at parent agency Utah Transit Authority is also the title of a gay novel by author Patricia Neil Warren, as well as a movie which is currently in production that was based on that novel. It is also the name of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender running team which meets weekly in Salt Lake City.
Utah based gay activists have welcomed the name as a sign of increasing tolerance for alternate lifestyle choices in the predominantly Mormon state. One activist was quoted by the news story, praising the aesthetic impacts that the name choice will have on the line, which is expected to open in 2008.
"If the train is like the running group, you should expect a sleek and stylish system that is adorned with matching seats and carpet."
Excitement is now building in the gay community about what other transit systems may be next to publicly admit to their sexual preferences. Said one hopeful activist, who wished to remain anonymous, "if a Mormon milktoast commuter line can come out of the closet, any transit agency can."
EXTERNAL LINKS
New rail's name has unexpected gay links | Deseret Morning News
The Blotter is an online satirical publication produced by the Railroad Yakuza.