Gay Rights Group Applauds LDS Stance on Proposed SLC Non-Discri...

Very interesting and positive. More coverage here: http://www.ksl.com/index.php...

Can anyone else say "DAMAGE CONTROL".

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of same-sex marriage you have to recognize the Mormon church took a huge hit in its public opinion - hence the kiss and make up sessions with Utah's gay community.

But it is still a good think - congratulations SLC - the state now needs to do the same.

I anxiously await to see of the church truly stands behind this by advocating in the same way for a state non-discrimination law for identity and orientation.

Now if only the Catholic church would stop protecting child abusers...

What the LDS church just did is NOT damage control as much as it is affirming what has always been the LDS church position. "The church supports these ordinances because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage." Succinct and to the point.

Mr. Visser,
That has always been our policy. We believe in non-discrimination. We also believe, however, that homosexuality is a sin before God. We do not support same sex marriage in any way, and will never support it. Don't take this to mean that we are backing down in our role as free voting citizens. Look for us the next time same sex is put to the polls, and our church will always be there to protect our rights.
In short, maybe you think we are trying to get our public relations back to a "positive" level, but the church could care less whether you approve of us or not. We answer to one authority, and that is God's.

Ryan wrote:

Mr. Visser,
That has always been our policy. We believe in non-discrimination. We also believe, however, that homosexuality is a sin before God. We do not support same sex marriage in any way, and will never support it. Don't take this to mean that we are backing down in our role as free voting citizens. Look for us the next time same sex is put to the polls, and our church will always be there to protect our rights.
In short, maybe you think we are trying to get our public relations back to a "positive" level, but the church could care less whether you approve of us or not. We answer to one authority, and that is God's.

Hey Ryan, the "gentiles" in this country could care less what you believe. And what you "believe" should have no bearing on the laws of this country. If you want to hide your bigotry behind your religion, go for it but your religion has no relevance to anyone but you.

This was nothing more than a PR ploy by the LDS Church hoping that we had a very short memory. Earlier this year, the Utah Legislature considered 6 bills known as the Common Ground Initiative, which covered not only the rights extended by the Salt Lake ordinances for individuals but extended rights to same sex couples. These bills covered:

1) Expanding Healthcare
2) Fair Workplace
3) Fair Housing
4) Wrongful Death
5) Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act
6) Clarifying Amendment 3 (Utah's amendment limiting marriage to only opposite sex couples and prohibiting marriage like equal protection).

These bills were written based on comments made by LDS leadership after the passage of Prop 8 in California, proclaiming that the Church was not opposed to LGBT rights. But when these bills were considered, the Church's silence was deafening and their behind the scenes presence all too evident as each one of these bill's was defeated.

Several weeks ago, members of the Utah Legislature declared that if the Salt Lake ordinances were approved, action would be taken by the Legislature to overturn them. My guess is that much like what happened this Spring, this "support" for LGBT rights will once again go silent and the hidden hand of LDS pressure will return to make sure that nowhere in the state will LGBT citizens will be allowed to be seen as equal.

Hick in Kansas wrote:

(Ridiculous plagiarized hate speach deleted, leaving nothing.)

Yes, Hick, we know that radical homosexuals are horrible anti-religious bigots and that your entire movement is based on hate.

You are making yourself and the HRC look even more pathetic. You'd best stick to making Topix look bad by trying to get posts removed.

Rick in Kansas wrote:

This was nothing more than a PR ploy by the LDS Church hoping that we had a very short memory. Earlier this year, the Utah Legislature considered 6 bills known as the Common Ground Initiative, which covered not only the rights extended by the Salt Lake ordinances for individuals but extended rights to same sex couples. These bills covered:
1) Expanding Healthcare
2) Fair Workplace
3) Fair Housing
4) Wrongful Death
5) Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act
6) Clarifying Amendment 3 (Utah's amendment limiting marriage to only opposite sex couples and prohibiting marriage like equal protection).
These bills were written based on comments made by LDS leadership after the passage of Prop 8 in California, proclaiming that the Church was not opposed to LGBT rights. But when these bills were considered, the Church's silence was deafening and their behind the scenes presence all too evident as each one of these bill's was defeated.
Several weeks ago, members of the Utah Legislature declared that if the Salt Lake ordinances were approved, action would be taken by the Legislature to overturn them. My guess is that much like what happened this Spring, this "support" for LGBT rights will once again go silent and the hidden hand of LDS pressure will return to make sure that nowhere in the state will LGBT citizens will be allowed to be seen as equal.

You're absolutely right, Rick. I won't believe it until after the Legislature is out of session. They have a private meeting with the Legislators prior to convening each and every year.

Interesting points. So this means that Joseph Smith and Company, Incorporated actually took this step to indicate public support, then they'll go to the legislature during their super-secret meeting and ask them to strike it down. That way they can play both sides of the fence.
How positively creepy and diabolical of them.
I smell sulfur in central Salt Lake City.

Beautiful wrote:

Interesting points. So this means that Joseph Smith and Company, Incorporated actually took this step to indicate public support, then they'll go to the legislature during their super-secret meeting and ask them to strike it down. That way they can play both sides of the fence.
How positively creepy and diabolical of them.
I smell sulfur in central Salt Lake City.

We will just have to wait and see. Judging from the past, yes that is what it means.