NEWS RELEASE

Equality Utah takes LDS Church at its word

Primary Contacts: For Immediate Release
Mike Thompson, Executive Director Monday, November 10, 2008
Cell: 801.879.8880

Stephanie Pappas, Board Chair

Cell: 801.450.0660

Other Contacts:
Senator Scott McCoy - Cell: 801.809.3566
Representative Christine Johnson - Cell: 801.661.3489

Equality Utah announces Press Conference for Noon Monday

Equality Utah will ask the LDS Church to demonstrate its conviction on
rights for same-sex couples.
Time: Noon
Location: Equality Utah Office
175 West 200 South, Suite 3001 – third floor, Salt Lake City

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.

During this press conference Equality Utah will be asking the LDS Church to demonstrate its
conviction on these statements as well as its willingness to secure such rights for lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender Utahns.

Today we have a great opportunity before us to begin to bridge the divide between the gay community
and the LDS community and to seek out common ground. 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. This is our chance to come
together and work to enact basic legal protections for gay Utahns. I am hopeful that the LDS Church
will accept our invitation to heal our communities by bringing its considerable social and political
influence to bear in support of laws that prevent discrimination and provide for the legitimate needs of
all Utahns and their families.
~Senator Scott McCoy

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 References

California and Same-Sex Marriage

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Newsroom
June 30, 2008
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex-marriage

The Divine Institution of Marriage - Introduction

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Newsroom
August 13, 2008
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage

Church Responds to Same-Sex Marriage Votes

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Newsroom
November 5, 2008
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-responds-to-same-sex-
marriage-votes

Mormon Leaders Urge Respect for Foes in Gay-Marriage Debate

The Salt Lake Tribune
Brooke Adams
November 5, 2008
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_10907306?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com

LDS Official Lauds Work for California’s Prop. 8

Deseret News
Carrie A. Moore
November 6, 2008
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705260852,00.html?pg=2