Paul C. Burke, ’97, was recognized as a “Utah Hero” for his legal work defending the rights of gay and lesbian teens and for his public advocacy of equality for Utah’s LGBT citizens. The award citation states that “his tenacity, zeal, and compassion have made him a champion of the underserved and most disadvantaged in our community.” He received the award at the Utah Pride Festival on Friday, June 5, 2015.
In addition to representing abused LGBT teens, Burke led a team of attorneys in filing an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the Utah Pride Center and a national coalition of equality groups in the cases addressing the Defense of Marriage Act and California Proposition No. 8.
Burke was also recognized for co-authoring a series of columns in The Salt Lake Tribune advocating equal rights for LGBT Utahns.