Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

WHO
WE ARE

ESPECIALLY
FOR YOU

EVENTS
& NEWS

RESOURCES
& LINKS

BECOME
INVOLVED


DONATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 23 OCTOBER 2008
AFFIRMATION: GAY AND LESBIAN MORMONS
CONTACT MEDIA AFFAIRS DIRECTOR DAVID MELSON
DAVE_MELSON

AFFIRMATION.ORG OR 240-383-8788
OR ASSISTANT MEDIA DIRECTOR MICAH BISSON
MICAH

AFFIRMATION.ORG OR 720-339-6218
WWW.AFFIRMATION.ORG
THE SAN FRANCISCO ATHEISTS, EAST BAY ATHEISTS
CONTACT DON HAVIS
HAVIS

ATT.NET OR 650-375-1745

Gay Mormons to Support Atheist Temple Protest
Peaceful Demonstration Planned in Support of "NO on Prop 8"

23 October 2008

Leaders of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons have announced their support for a demonstration planned this Sunday outside of the Oakland Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). "Even though the LDS Church makes up a fairly small percentage of the population of California, it is seeking to wield a disproportionate and unjustified level of influence over California civil law," said George Cole of San Francisco, one of Affirmation's national leaders. "Over forty per cent of the cash contributions to the pro-Prop 8 efforts in California have come from Mormons or from entities controlled by the Mormon Church, and the LDS church is operating phone banks in several cities in Idaho, Utah, and elsewhere to attempt to influence California voters."

The demonstration, planned for 9:00 to 12:00 on Sunday morning, October 26, is being led by The San Francisco Atheists and by East Bay Atheists, with the support of other bay area groups. Although the pairing of Atheists and Gay Mormons may seem unusual, David Melson, Affirmation's Assistant Executive Director, pointed out that the issues involved in Prop 8 are basic human rights and freedom of religion, including the freedom to not be forced to be subject to anyone else's religion . "The LDS Church is attempting to use the California constitution to take away the civil rights of a portion of the California population and to impose religious standards of the Mormon Church upon all Californians. This is unprecedented and dangerous."

Current California law allows marriage between any two people, regardless of gender; Prop 8 seeks to overturn that law through an amendment to the California Constitution. The primary issue is civil rights for all California citizens, including those rights that society gives to recognize and promote the positive, stabilizing influence of two people joined together for life as a family unit. California has traditionally recognized the worth of having a diversity of cultures, values, and beliefs, and has relied upon families and faith institutions to deal with the more detailed issues of morality. Nothing in California's current marriage laws imposes anyone else's morality upon any person, church or other religious institution; Prop 8 would change that, holding the citizens of California to Mormon standards.

"The "Articles of Faith" of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints state people must be allowed to believe and worship as they choose, and the church must not interfere in civil issues," said Olin Thomas, Affirmation's Executive Director. "The leadership of the Mormon Church needs to seriously examine their actions in California vis-à-vis the tenets of their own faith. We urge them to prayerfully consider pulling out of the Prop 8 campaign, cease teaching hatred and homophobia as family values, and begin concentrating on the real world needs of its members and others."

Affirmation spokesperson Micah Bisson said, "With all of the issues and needs in the world at this time, it is shameful that the leaders of the church have chosen instead to direct church members to devote their resources and labor to a civil and political issue that has will not negatively affect the church or its members."

Those who wish to become a part of the demonstration this Sunday are encouraged to contact Don Havis at havis

att.net or 650-375-1745.