Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Estelle Harris (left) and Clair Jones, both from Provo, kiss in front of the LDS Temple

Couples Hold Second Kiss-In at Temple Square
“It's as if the doctrine of the importance of families we're taught is used to destroy other people's families”

July 2009

Over 200 people, gay and straight, gathered at Temple Square on July 19 to exchange kisses, hold hands, and hug--the second kiss-in held at Salt Lake City’s Main Street Plaza since July 12. The event was meant to express solidarity with Matt Aune and Derek Jones, a gay couple who were arrested on July by LDS security after Aune kissed Jones on the cheek.

After the kiss-in, the group left the public sidewalk and walked onto church property for three rounds of kissing between the plaza's fountain pool and the Salt Lake City Temple.

Several gay couples moved to the plaza for kissing and hand-holding, along with straight couples such as Peter Saunders, a Salt Lake City software designer, and his wife of 37 years, Gerda. “There's no need for controversy and hatred, especially in a beautiful environment like this,” said Saunders, raising his arm toward the temple.

A 25-year-old Brigham Young University graduate, Kate Savage, attended with her boyfriend, Tristan Call. “It's as if the doctrine of the importance of families we're taught is used to destroy other people's families, and we don't understand that,” Savage said.

Melody Gutierrez and Lee Madrid are downtown residents who cross the plaza on a regular basis and attended the event to advocate for a peaceful coexistence in a community with diverse beliefs.

“All the residents of Salt Lake respect the church and respect what they choose to do in the city,” Gutierrez said. “However, when it takes away from somebody's civil liberties, somebody has to stand and speak up, otherwise we'll all be repressed.”

A third kiss-in was held in San Diego on July 22, and a nationwide kiss-in is now being planned for August 15.

	Former BYU student Tristan Call (left), reads Alma 32:3 to Wes Osburn, who sits shackled to the chain at the entry to Temple Square.

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