Equality Utah Taking LDS Church at Their Word, to Press for Gay Rights in Utah

I got this email a little while ago, and I thought I'd share:

Dear Robert,

Throughout the recent election cycle, the LDS Church has demonstrated its willingness to participate in political issues by asking its members to do all they can do, including donating their means and their time, to support California’s Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution and eliminated gay couples right to marry by defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

The LDS Church has articulated it is not “anti-gay” but rather pro-marriage and it “does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights.” On November 5th, Elder L. Whitney Clayton stated the LDS Church does not oppose “civil unions or domestic partnerships.” In response to these statements, Equality Utah is drafting legislation for the 2009 General Session of the Utah Legislature to address each of the issues mentioned by the LDS Church.

At a noon Press Conference today, Equality Utah is asking the LDS Church to keep its word and to demonstrate its conviction on these issues. Will you join us in this effort and be part of our work for a fair & just Utah?

Read today's Press Release

Read the full transcript from today's Press Conference

You can be a part of this effort by:

1. Talking to your LDS family and friends. Encourage them to ask their church leaders to support rights for gay and transgender people regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, probate rights and domestic partnerships.

2. Sign our petition and join the growing number of people working for a fair & just Utah.

For those who wish to support this effort and who understand the important role these rights play in the lives of gay and transgender people - rights that do not threaten traditional marriage - they may sign Equality Utah’s petition of support at www.equalityutah.org

Please forward this message to your friends and family – let’s build a statewide coalition of support!

Working for a fair & just Utah ,

Mike Thompson
Executive Director