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"We particularly regret the role played by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in helping to orchestrate the sequence of events that led to the Court's ruling today."

—David Melson, Executive Director of Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Gay Mormons Respond to California Court Ruling

26 May 2009

"Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons regrets the decision of the California Supreme Court sustaining Proposition 8, although we are grateful that the court did not set aside the 18,000 marriages that Prop 8 had threatened. We particularly regret the role played by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in helping to orchestrate the sequence of events that led to the Court's ruling today," said David Melson, Executive Director of Affirmation.

"The Mormon Church, which teaches the virtues of 'the glorious cause of truth,' engaged in a year-long battle plan of half-truths and untruths to support Prop 8," according to California resident George Cole, Affirmation's Assistant Executive Director. "The church which preaches that family is to be valued above all else has squandered millions of dollars to tear our families apart. The church that declares as one of its Articles of Faith that all people should be allowed to "worship how, where, and what they may," has attempted to impose its beliefs upon all of the citizenry of California."

Micah Bisson, Senior Assistant Executive Director, added, "Affirmation has fought for over thirty years to end the damage caused by the intolerance against gay people, particularly within the LDS Church, to establish 'safe spaces' for gay Mormons and their families, and to build channels of communication between the LDS Church and its gay members."

"Although the California Supreme Court decision today is disappointing, the campaign to overturn Proposition 8 at the ballot box in 2010 has already begun, and we are encouraged by the growing chorus of states across America who are endorsing marriage equality," said Melson.

"Marriage equality will be a fact of life in this country. While no church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious institution will be required to recognize any marriage that it chooses not to accept, many congregations have already chosen to recognize marriage equality. More and more people have come to understand that being gay or being heterosexual is biological, much like blue eyes; it is determined before birth, it is the way God created each of us, and it is to be celebrated."

Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons was founded in 1977, and is the largest support and advocacy organization for gay Latter-day Saints and their families. More information is available at www.affirmation.org.