McCoy asks LDS Church to support same-sex rights

Mon, Nov 10th 2008, 12:54
Equality Utah and state Sen. Scott McCoy have asked LDS Church leaders to follow up on statements that they would support civil unions or domestic partnerships. Previously, LDS Leaders urged the church’s followers to actively oppose California’s Proposition 8, the successful ballot question that placed a constitutional ban on marriage equality.

Equality Utah made the following statement in advance of a press conference:

Throughout the recent election cycle, the LDS Church has demonstrated its willingness to participate in political issues by asking its members to do all they can do, including donating their means and their time, to support California’s Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution and eliminated same-sex couples right to marry by defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

The LDS Church has articulated it is not “anti-gay” but rather pro-marriage and it “does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights.” On November 5th, Elder L. Whitney Clayton stated the LDS Church does not oppose “civil unions or domestic partnerships.” In response to these statements, Equality Utah is drafting legislation for the 2009 General Session of the Utah Legislature to address each of the issues mentioned by the LDS Church.

Sen. McCoy stated: “I take LDS Church leaders at their word that they are not anti-gay and that they sincerely understand that gay and transgender individuals and their families are in need of certain legal protections and basic benefits. I appreciate their statements that they do not oppose legal protections for gay people like those already enacted in California law that do not conflict with their genuinely held beliefs about marriage.”