In 1988, a member of the Utah Legislature proposed banishing Utah's AIDS PATIENTS to Antelope Island.
To commemorate this dark period of Utah's LGBTQ+ history, ride with us in the Banished! Annual Antelope Island Pride Ride!
Join us october 3rd for banished! 2026
Did this really happen?!
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Short answer: Basically!
Long answer: People have claimed that a Utah legislator once introduced legislation to banish Utah's LGBTQ+ population to Antelope Island, located in the middle of Utah's iconic Great Salt Lake: By the end of 1985, there were 23 cases of AIDS in Utah. Twelve of them were fatal, a number that included two children. Yet, in the public’s perception AIDS was a gay man’s disease. During this year, Utah State Sen. Jack Bangerter, R–Bountiful, introduced a bill which would have made it a 3rd degree felony to knowingly transmit a communicable disease — a bill which was aimed at the gay community. He also suggested that people with AIDS be painted green and quarantined on Antelope Island. - Q Salt Lake, 2009 |
Why Antelope Island?
And Who's Jack Bangerter?!
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Senator Jack Bangerter (R-Bountiful), was a Utah state senator who served in the legislature from 1977 to 1989. During that time, he proposed a large list of legislation with varying success.
In 1983, the AIDS epidemic was in its third year when floodwaters and erosion closed the Antelope Island causeway completely, effectively cutting off the island with at least 5 feet of water covering the road. In 1985, a rubber raft ferry system was put in place, but it ended within a year because the island was too remote and dry to support visitors. It was only a few years later when Jack Bangerter, who represented a district boarding the Great Salt Lake, made his proposal. We can assume the uninhabitability of the island led to him to choosing it. Fun fact: The Antelope Island causeway wouldn't reopen until the mid 1990s. |
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What Exactly Did Jack Bangerter Propose?
While some claims can't be substantiated, here's what we know thanks to reporting by the Deseret News:
Bangerter, a former state senator and trucking company owner, was known in the Legislature for his salty comments. In a debate over a bill aimed at identifying AIDS victims, Bangerter said the AIDS virus was so dangerous that the state should "paint them (victims) red" and place them on an island in the Great Salt Lake. He later apologized for the statements, saying they were misinterpreted. - Deseret News, Aug 31, 1990 "Paint 'em red!" was the solution Sen. Jack Bangerter suggested to the 1988 Legislature to combat the growing AIDS menace. Rep. Ervin Skousen, R-Salt Lake, suggested AIDS carriers be "tattooed" as a warning to anyone who might come in contact with them. Neither Bangerter nor Skousen will be in the 1989 Legislature (Bangerter is retiring; Skousen was defeated in the primary election). - Deseret News, Oct 31, 1988 |
If the reporting in the Deseret News is accurate, here's what we know:
- Bangerter's proposal was never backed up by legislation, but seemed to come from a moment of frustration during debate on HB 222 (Note: Banished! has been unable to get transcripts of this debate from the Utah state government, despite several attempts).
- His proposal wasn't to banish all LGBTQ+ people, but rather any Utahn with AIDS, which disproportionately impacted the gay community.
- He didn't explicitly name Antelope Island as the intended destination, but Bountiful's proximity to the island makes it the most likely location.
- He suggested painting AIDS victims red, not green as some reporting suggests (hence, our event colors).
As far as how his comments could be "misinterpreted" or additional context could make his remarks better, we will probably never know.
That's Why We Ride!
It's been over 36 years since red paint, tattoos, and banishment were considered as punishment against Utahns, and the LGBTQ+ population in the state has come a long way in terms of community, visibility, and societal acceptance.
In a time where hard-fought progress is in question, we organize an annual community bike ride to celebrate how far LGBTQ+ Utahns have come since 1988. We bike across the Antelope Island causeway and enjoy the beautiful views and wildlife that the island has to offer. It's about coming together in a spirit of celebration and all are welcome!
In a time where hard-fought progress is in question, we organize an annual community bike ride to celebrate how far LGBTQ+ Utahns have come since 1988. We bike across the Antelope Island causeway and enjoy the beautiful views and wildlife that the island has to offer. It's about coming together in a spirit of celebration and all are welcome!
Last Year's Ride!
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The Next Ride!Our next ride will take place on October 3, 2026.
We'd love for you to join us to commemorate how far we've come as a community since the infamous proposal to banish Utah's AIDS patients to Antelope Island! |
