Source: KSL, Salt Lake Tribune, KUTV
Salt Lake City -- Gay activists in Utah are gearing up to push five bills during next year's legislative session, and they're calling on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to help them.
Today, a group of Utah parents with gay children came forward to support the bills.
They're calling it a byproduct of California's Proposition 8. All these bills have to do with gay rights for couples and individuals, KSL reports.
The laws address things like this: Does a partner have the right to see a loved one in the hospital? Can landlords and employers discriminate against gay people? When death strikes a couple, does the surviving partner have probate rights?
About a dozen members of PFLAG -- Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays -- stood in Salt Lake City on Monday with a unified message.
They came out in a downtown news conference to support the "Common Ground Initiative," a reference to the five gay-rights bills Equality Utah will bring to the 2009 Legislature, and call for LDS church backing, Salt Lake Tribune reports.
"Without laws that protect my gay son and our other children from discrimination in employment, in housing, and in life and death, it's doubtful he could build a meaningful life absent of fear and persecution," said Kathy Godwin, the new PFLAG Salt Lake City chapter president. "As a mother, this truly saddens me."
In broad terms, officials for LDS church have said they support rights for same-sex couples. But Church leaders have not commented on the proposed bills, according to KSL, which is own by a church-associated company.
The political action group Equality Utah is taking the lead on the Common Ground Initiative, and today's gathering of parents represents a new layer of gay rights lobbyists who plan to hit Capitol Hill next January.
"While we disagree with the church's position on Proposition 8," said Stephanie Pappas, Chair of Equality Utah at a news conference last week. "We respect that their position is based on the guiding principles of their faith."
At last week's news conference Equality Utah activists pointed out that leaders of the LDS church have said they do not object to rights for same-sex couples, as long as those rights do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family, KUTV reports.
"The LDS Church says it does not oppose same-sex couples receiving such rights as hospitalization and medical care, fair housing rights or probate rights," Mike Thompson, executive director of Equality Utah, said at last week's news conferences.
Now, gay-rights activists and at least five Utah legislators are asking the church to demonstrate its conviction.
"We're looking for reconciliation," said Utah State Sen. Scott McCoy a gay Democrat said last week, according to KUTV.
Equality Utah said last week that the church made the invitation, and they're accepting it.
So far, however, the church hasn't responded.
"As of this morning, we have not received a response back from the church," Thompson, said today. "It's a little disappointing, ... [but] we will continue to hold out hope."
In a written statement to the Salt Lake Tribune late Monday, LDS church spokeswoman Kim Farah said, "The church is not planning on commenting on civil unions for the time being."
But 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, according to the Tribune.
At today's news conference with parents, Cori Redstone who supports the bills, said, "Now is not the time to sit back and be quiet anymore. Now is the time to speak up for what you believe in."
Connie Stock, who also supports the equal rights bills, said, "People are in support of this. They want to see a change. And our whole nation is showing they do want a change."
While some PFLAG members were discouraged by the Mormon Church, Kathryn Steffensen refused to be, Salt Lake Tribune reports. The faithful Mormon said that while she doesn't think the LDS church should have moved "into taking away peoples rights that were given by the state and government," she's been heartened by the support of her community and bishop.
"The church loves its gay members and they love me," claimed Steffensen, 77, whose son, Erik, acknowledged being gay a couple of decades ago. "Everyone I know thinks they should have rights."
Utah lawmakers aren't commenting on the proposed bills yet, but many say the Constitutional Amendment on Marriage cancels out these proposals, according to KSL.
Source: Parents of gay children gather in support of new legislation | KSL
PFLAG enters Prop 8 fallout fray, seeks LDS Church support | Salt Lake City
Gays Asking For LDS Help For Gay Rights In Utah | KUTV