11/12/2009
LDS Official: SLC Anti-Discrimination Law Could Go Statewide
The Church of Latter Day Saints appears to have no problem with Salt Lake City's anti-discrimination ordinance extending beyond the city's borders:
"The LDS Church's unexpected endorsement of two Salt Lake City gay-rights measures has many observers wondering if another surprise could follow: a friendlier reception in the 2010 Legislature for such protections statewide.
Even an LDS apostle -- continuing the string of stunners --thinks Salt Lake City's ordinances could be a model. 'Anything good is shareable,' Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said in an interview Wednesday, referring to Salt Lake City's new policy aimed at protecting gay and transgender residents from discrimination.
He praised the efforts of Mormon officials and gay-rights leaders who sat down to discuss the issue before the church's endorsement. 'Everybody ought to have the freedom to frame the statutes the way they want,' he said. 'But at least the process and the good will and working at it, certainly that could be modeled anywhere and even elements of the statute.""
At hearings on Tuesday night, LDS representative Michael Otterson released a statement expressing support for the ordinance, which was passed unanimously, and extended protections in employment and housing to gays and lesbians.
Posted 12:39 PM EST by Andy Towle in Discrimination, Mormon, News, Salt Lake City |
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"See, we're not bigots, we just don't belive its gods plan for men to get married to men. That's why you should throw out these silly lawsuits against us your honor."
Posted by: Rich | Nov 12, 2009 12:52:53 PM
The Apostolate of Holy Bean-Counters strikes again! Remember when the "Church" discovered that they were losing Africa to the Catholics and the Evangelicals, and all of a sudden whoever was "Prophet" at the time had a "revelation" that African-American men COULD hold the priesthood after all.
No word yet if those who *couldn't* for 100+ years, (kinda like the Catholics who went to hell for eating meat on Fridays before Vatican !! [sic]) will be posthumously "ordained" in a temple service, like the posthumous baptisms of non-Moron (sic) people who died before Joseph Smith macked on those magic 'shrooms in that cave in upstate New York .
The Devil whispered in the Holy Bean-Counters' ears:
"Gay and lesbian couples are DINKS with a HIGH disposable income for TITHING. Go sign 'em up, save their souls, and give 'em a tax break for contributing 10% (BEFORE taxes) to the PAGAN FERTILITY CULT that is second or third in whacked-outedness, behind S*******ogy and the Roman Catholic Church ...
Gotta LOVE the latter's DRAG, though ... honey, that's REAL cloth-of-gold!
Posted by: Rusty | Nov 12, 2009 12:57:48 PM
I have to go with Rich on this one - the LDS needs to demonstrate that they didn't support Prop 8 because of animus toward gays as a group. It is a transparent, cynical, and hopefully, futile effort to defend themselves in the lawsuit. BUT - this is still a huge advance for gays in Utah.
Posted by: Jim | Nov 12, 2009 1:17:12 PM
Beware of a Wolf in Sheeps clothing....this is puzzling
Posted by: John Normile | Nov 12, 2009 1:27:58 PM
I agree with Rich and Him, utterly transparent and, very sadly, likely to work.
Posted by: MackMichael | Nov 12, 2009 1:31:58 PM
Throw the dog a bone to keep them appeased and at bay.
Posted by: Marc | Nov 12, 2009 1:35:18 PM
If the LDS was genuine they would never have used the word 'violence' in their statement supporting the SLC measure.
Posted by: Observer1000 | Nov 12, 2009 1:44:29 PM
If the Mormons want to convince us they're not bigots, they can fund a campaign to repeal the anti-gay measures in Maine and California. Until then, they can kiss my skinny homo ass.
Posted by: MikeMick | Nov 12, 2009 1:59:35 PM
Er... as much as I'm furious with the Church for helping out with Prop 8, they're doing something right regardless of their motivation. Shouldn't we be happy about that?
Posted by: Yuki | Nov 12, 2009 2:16:26 PM
If Shit Romney and the other Moron Mormons think this will placate "the gays" in his run for statewide office in California then good luck with that assholes.
Posted by: SFshawn | Nov 12, 2009 2:19:10 PM
Be happy that they're doing the right thing. Don't for a minute assume that they really believe in the equality they're suddenly pretending to endorse.
Posted by: Roscoe | Nov 12, 2009 2:29:23 PM
You people are absolutely amazing. Full equality has never come for any group in one fell swoop. It won't for us. I'm no fan of the Mormon sect, but you need to recognize progress, however small, for what it is.
BTW, did all of you "come out" all at once, or was it an incremental process?
Posted by: jmdrwac | Nov 12, 2009 2:45:45 PM
this is the old bait and switch. Don't fall for it--they aren't that bright, and don't prove us that stupid. Don't be satisfied...that's what they want. This is purely a PR strategy to silence criticism and further insist that opposition to same sex marriage isn't bigotry--which it is.
Posted by: TANK | Nov 12, 2009 2:47:03 PM
Does it bother anyone else that in order to get legislation passed in Utah you need to have the blessing of the Morman church?
Hello!? Separation of church and state!?
This is scary. Glad I don't live in Utah.
Posted by: Justin | Nov 12, 2009 3:06:13 PM
Like I said when they came and testified at the city council hearing - Fuck the LDS church. They kick us repeatedly and do everything in their power to rob us of our rights (certainly where it doesn't concern them) and we're supposed to be happy they support us on a tiny ordinance? They did this because they are staring at two stark realities: 1 - New federal hate crimes legislation means they have no choice in the matter. The law isn't on their side on this one. 2 - The ordinance was going to pass the city council even if they said nothing and sat in their ivory tower, so why not pull a PR stunt and come out and support it. I'm sorry but way too little, and too fucking late.
Posted by: msbutah | Nov 12, 2009 3:10:23 PM
A box of chocolates from an abusive husband.
Posted by: Windy | Nov 12, 2009 4:31:01 PM
No small part of this is due to a certain Senator from Nevada ripping the elders a new one about how they use the church's money and goodwill from now on.
Posted by: Derek Washington | Nov 12, 2009 4:59:08 PM
I sad part there will be gays and lesbians who actually think this is some sort of progress. Are you f------ serious?
Posted by: terry | Nov 12, 2009 6:46:35 PM
If they're serious, tell Utah's Senators to cosponsor ENDA. While they're at it, they can tell Harry Reid to hurry his ass up on these issues.
Posted by: Stephen | Nov 12, 2009 10:43:18 PM