Mormon Church's First-Ever Support of Gay Rights Bill in Utah
For the first time ever, the Mormon church has come out in favor of gay rights legislation in Utah. With the church's backing, lawmakers in Salt Lake City unanimously passed the bill.
The new law bans discrimination against gays in employment and housing in Salt lake City. It's passage makes the city the first Utah community to prohibit bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The move comes as something as a surprise, given the Mormon church's longstanding opposition to the gay lifestyle, and its high-profile role in California's Proposition 8 last year, which succeeded in defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.
"What happened here tonight I do believe is a historic event," said Brandie Balken, director of the gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah. "I think it establishes that we can stand together on common ground that we don't have to agree on everything, but there are lot of things that we can work on and be allies."
But church director of public affairs Michael Otterson was quick to point out, "The church supports these ordinances because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage."
Gays are actually welcome in the Mormon church, but they must remain celibate to retain church callings and full membership.
This is not the first time the church has voiced support for some gay rights. In August 2008 it issued a statement saying it supports gay rights related to hospitalization, medical care, employment, housing or probate as long as they "do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches."
This is, however, the church's first public endorsement of specific legislation. It did so because of the way the bill was written. "In drafting these ordinances, the city has granted common-sense rights that should be available to everyone, while safeguarding the crucial rights of religious organizations," Otterson said.
Still, gay activists see this as an opening for a new relationship with the Mormon church. "I thought this conversation would never come to be while I was here in Salt Lake City," Valerie Larabee, executive director of the Utah Pride Center said. She added it has "shifted her perspective of what's possible."
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As I was saying, before I cut myself off, the lack of respect for the marriage vows taken is not anything for them to be proud of. Why are these churchs not putting any importance in that. Fix your own problems before you start telling everyone else how to live.
Careful, editorial staff, your bias is showing. Again.
hap,
Before claiming bias , please list your proof that homosexuality is genetic. As far as I know, there is no gene that forces you have sex at all, let alone with only people of your same sex. It is always a choice and it is clearly a lifestyle.
I don't have to prove anything in saying that the editorial team is biased.
Burden of proof is not mine; it's theirs based on their assertion.
because you choose to be attracted to the opposite sex , right? Oh yeah and when exactly did the option to chose take place? Think about it, you have never made a choice to be attracted to men or women , you just were what you were. Saying that you make a choice is just ignorance.
but I am asking, what is your proof that it is a choice?
clearly if we are discussing whether or not one engages in a homosexual act, that is absolutely a choice. No one is forcing them to do that. However, if the question becomes is having homosexual tendencies a choice, then I don't know for certain that it is, but I have no proof that homosexual tendencies are genetic. Whatever the origin of such tendencies, the individual always can decide to act according to their own conscience. All of us have strong tendencies that we endeavor to suppress and overcome. That said, I do have empathy for those who struggle with homosexual tendencies. I'm sure it is a very difficult road for those who fight it.
one's desire or taste for steak is genetic... however it is not a choice, you either like steak or you don't same goes for all things in life.... so it really doesn't matter why, it is the fact that it exists. Homosexuality is abnormal... of course like pedophiles, child molestors, necrophiliacs, etc... they all calim it is OK!
are you a doctor or have some major education in these facts you proclaim? Or are you just gifted to know all about everything? Maybe you can give me some winning lottery numbers too!
"Homosexuality is abnormal... of course like pedophiles, child molestors, necrophiliacs, etc... they all calim it is OK!"
The only similarity between homosexuality and paedophilia / necrophilia is that none represent the majority view (there are far more active paedophiles then there are homosexuals ).
Paedophilia and necrophilia necessitate a non-consenting partner (a child and a corpse respectively). Homosexuality, like heterosexuality, does not necessitate a non-consenting partner. As such it is a valid, though unorthodox, practice.