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Petition seeks to unite gays and Mormon church
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Salt Lake City- Thousands protest the LDS Church after Prop 8 passed in California
one year ago Wednesday.
One year after the passing of Prop. 8, a Utah-based organization is gathering Wednesday to ask leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to reconsider the its influence on the gay community.
In the Church’s pamphlet, “God Loveth His Children,” the Church addresses homosexuals as those who are “troubled" with same-sex attraction.
The pamphlet goes on to explain that gay church members can still receive God’s blessings as long as they lead a celibate life. Many believe such references from the LDS Church sometimes evokes a negative attitude that is damaging toward the gay community.
Additionally, LDS Church members have been threatened for their support of Proposition 8, a bill which outlawed same-sex marriage in the 2008 California general election.
Recently, LDS apostle Dallin H. Oaks delivered a speech stating that the backlash against the LDS Church over its involvement in California passing of Proposition 8 was similar to the fight suffered by blacks during the Civil Rights Movement.
The Foundation for Reconciliation hopes that both sides can take another approach. The group has established a petition aimed at encouraging a more understanding relationship between the LDS Church and the gay community.
MISSION of FOUNDATION FOR RECONCILIATION
1. Acknowledging and rejecting policies, practices, politics and rhetoric which have been harmful to member and non-member Gays and Lesbians,
2. Fostering an atmosphere that encourages positive and loving acceptance of Gays and Lesbians in LDS families and congregations and
3. Examining attitudes and actions that prevent understanding of issues related to sexual orientation and creating an atmosphere for mutual compassion, forgiveness and apology.
The organization consisting of LDS members and non-members, has gathered over 2,100 signatures for a petition that they plan to deliver to the Church Headquarters on Wednesday.
Following a handcart trek through Salt Lake City on Wednesday, the group plans to walk from City Creek park to the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to deliver the petition.
The group will also deliver a joint statement with other groups such as Mormons for Marriage, Affirmation and LDS Safe Space Coalition, in addition to clergy from different faiths.
According to the web site for the Foundation for Reconciliation, the group hopes the petition will deliver a message to the Church “that it is time for reconciliation between the Church and its gay and lesbian members.”
Also being delivered will be a Book of Remembrance honors those who have committed suicide and documents the stories of LDS LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) members who have experienced conflict.
"We are not anti-Mormon," said Mary Danzig, the Events Coordinator for the Foundation for Reconciliation. "The whole committee is comprised of Mormons; many active in the church, others Mormons by heritage, but in all cases people who have been shaped by Mormonism.
"The LDS church and the gay community share many of the same people," said Danzig. "In Utah, most gays are Mormon."
Danzig said that when gay LDS members experience negative attitudes from their leaders or family members the results can sometimes result in an increase the population of gay homeless youth. The result is even more tragic when stories result in suicide.
In Utah, suicide is the leading cause of death for males aged 15-19. The state's suicide rate is nearly double the nationwide average for that age group.
"The division is tearing families and even individuals apart," continued Danzig. There are many gay LDS people who have felt incredible despair because they cannot reconcile their much loved faith with their sexuality. Family often feel like they have to make a decision between their loved one and their religion.
Local filmmaker Emily Pearson has become involved with the petition to Mormon leaders because her life has been impacted by the church’s stance towards homosexuality. Pearson has been working on a documentary film about the LDS involvement with Prop. 8 with journalist Reed Cowan.
Pearson, a former Mormon, has a gay father and explains that she is committed to "make things easier and safer for LGBT Mormons and their families."
Pearson said that it is very important that Mormons speak out in acceptance for their gay friends and family because it puts “a human face on an issue that many people want to keep in the abstract so they don’t really have to think about it.”
For individuals who have suffered or been forced to watch a loved one suffer mistreatment, misunderstanding, or demonization as a consequence of the LDS church's official policies, actions, and teachings regarding sexual orientation, we understand that true reconciliation will require rejecting redress through hostility, will take time, and be a difficult process.
-LDSApology.org
In May, it was discovered by tabloids that Mormon actress/entertainer Marie Osmond has a lesbian daughter.
When asked by a Los Angeles radio station about her daughter, Osmond was not hesitant to talk about the subject. "That's not a sensitive topic. I love my daughter," said Osmond.
Though she emphasized that she believes in the Bible, Osmond said that she also supports same-sex couples. “You know on those types of things I'm very supportive. When it comes to marriage... I think that civil rights need to be for all,” said Osmond.
Pearson agreed that more LDS members need to be more vocal like Osmond with their accepting behaviors towards homosexuals.
“Too many righteous LDS parents are turning their children out of their homes because of their sexual orientation. They need to be shown a better way,” said Pearson.
Pearson said that church members shouldn’t worry about the judgment of others when choosing to stand up for acceptance of the gay community. “I would remind them that theirs is a legacy of pioneering and of courage.”
Utah-native and Tony-nominated actor Will Swenson recently starred in a video that aired during a memorial service held by the Foundation for Reconciliation which honored gay suicide victims.
After starring in a number of LDS-themed films like Single's Ward and Sons of Provo, Swenson has taken part in a number of events promoting equality.
Swenson, who's currently performing on Broadway in the Broadway revival of Hair, joined with his cast-mates in October as they halted the production to attend the National Equality March in Washington D.C.
Peter Brown, who produced and co-wrote Sons of Provo with Swenson, said that the actor's support has been amazing.
"Having a recognizable face support your cause gets more people to listen to what you have to say. It may not always sway their opinion, but more people will listen," said Brown.
"We are not asking anyone in the Church to change their religious beliefs," continued Brown. "We only ask that they recognize that what they are saying is destroying people's spirits and in some cases, literally killing them."
To sign/view the petition, submit a story or to find out more about the Foundation for Reconciliation, including a list of events for Wednesday’s petition delivery, visit the website at www.ldsapology.org
- Reporting and information gathered and written by Trace Downey, the Salt Lake City Celebrity Headlines Examiner. For more stories by this writer, visit or subscribe here.
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