PROVO — An LGBT resource group says it was wrongly denied entry into the Freedom Festival parade on Tuesday.

Members of the Encircle: LGBT+ Family and Youth Resource Center found out Monday that they would not be able to participate in the citywide Independence Day celebration after they were told by organizers that they are considered an "advocacy group."

The relatively new group, less than a year old, has been a resource for counseling and suicide prevention for LGBT youth.

"We do not and never have advocated a certain political party or legal action," the group said in a Facebook statement.

They disputed the classification, stating that they were not involved in any political action, in accordance with their 501(c)(3) status.

"We respect the decision of the parade committee and will use this as an opportunity to show Provo who we are," the group's statement continued.

The organizers for America's Freedom Festival at Provo could not be reached by phone on Tuesday but offered their own response by way of a Facebook statement saying they would meet with members of Encircle to understand the organization's role in the community.

"We hope we can come to an agreement that will provide us the opportunity to have a relationship with Encircle in the future," the Freedom Festival Facebook statement read.