Generally LGBT Left
I should have known……but I was actually holding out hope.
When the LDS came out in force for Proposition 8 they claimed the LDS church “does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights.” Equality Utah hoped they would stand by those words, that they weren’t just some PR move to get well-intentioned members to follow in voting against their conscience and their neighbors.
I was disheartened to read in the paper today that they’re now saying:
“The Church is not planning on commenting on civil unions for the time being.”
and
…spokesman Michael Otterson suggested a few days ago to a Washington Post reporter that the church’s post-election remarks were “based on civil unions in California and that no decision has been made regarding similar rights in Utah,” the paper said. “‘I don’t want to give the impression that the church is saying civil unions in all cases are OK,’” Otterson was quoted as saying.
Those rights are okay for our families in Ca but not for our families in Ut? Morality changes in a matter of miles?
I kind of feel stupid for thinking they were actually softening their hearts on the rights of those gay-headed families outside their church. And sure, I still hope… a bit. But It seems they were just wanting to be able to say they weren’t “anti-gay” and say that they weren’t hoping to take away rights from and harm our homes, as they did anyway with Prop 8. It’s the same old problem of wanting to do something to another that you’d not want done to yourself and yet still find a way to still feel good about it.
I’m hoping that, in time, that’s not possible, that a man can’t do that to another without it eventually wearing him down. For now, though, this doesn’t look good for our families here in Utah. If the LDS church won’t move out of the way of granting our homes even these meager rights, we will not get them here unless they come from the federal government. I guess then my hope now lies in the new presidential administration.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Ben // Nov 18, 2008 at 9:49 am
I can’t say this surprises me in the least, but still it makes me sick.
2 MoHoHawaii // Nov 18, 2008 at 10:03 am
I didn’t interpret the Church’s profession of support of some DP rights as being sincere. It seemed to me that they were simply trying to avoid being labeled as anti-gay in the context of a particular political campaign.
The LDS Church is profoundly hostile to homosexuality and is willing to enter into the political process to enforce its views. I don’t see this changing in the near future. In fact, if anything the grand success of their Prop 8 efforts may embolden rather than moderate their political activity.
I’m a big believer in Federally recognized civil unions as an intermediate step along the road to full marriage equality.
The Obama transition team has recently updated their website to include LGBT issues. See http://change.gov/agenda/civil_rights_agenda/. One of their agenda items is this:
Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.
I would not hold your breath for the Church to allow any action by the Utah legislature that would help our cause. It’s time to appeal to the Feds.
I encourage people to write a letter to Vice President-elect Biden and remind him of ‘Biden’s promise’ from the VP debates. (Including photos of one’s adorable children can’t hurt.) NOW is the time to get these letters out. They should be personal, to-the-point and clear about the practical need for legal protections for same-sex couples and their children.
3 playasinmar // Nov 19, 2008 at 8:55 am
LDS Church Fails to Put Money Where Mouth Is
4 Scot // Nov 19, 2008 at 1:02 pm
“The Obama transition team has recently updated their website to include LGBT issues.”
Thanks for that, MoHoHawaii, and it is a bright spot. I’m sick of being cautious with my optimism. May Obama and Biden give me a reason not to be.
And playasinmar! Good to see you here.
I’m sure you could have some suggestions of where such money may best be put.
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