Two Key Ordinances Pass In Salt Lake City Council Meeting For The Gay Community

It was not long ago that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came under

a lot of attack for their role in the battle for Proposition 8 in California. Even though the LDS Church was not the only church that rallied to pass Prop 8, they certainly took the brunt of backlash.

The LDS Church then took some hits on late night shows and was again the target of the gay community when two gay, male protesters were asked to leave for trespassing on LDS property while kissing and hugging. When they refused, it became a slightly escalated and the news spread. There were many "kiss-ins" near the LDS' temple grounds for several weeks after the incident.

With all of that said, some people may be surprised to learn that the LDS Church sent a representative to the Salt Lake City council meeting on November 10, 2009 to help support the nondiscrimination ordinances that were being proposed by the gay community.

The spokesman for the LDS Church said that the church supported the ordinances that were being proposed because they were for basics rights that all men and women should have. The spokesman further stated that the ordinances were "fair and reasonable, and do not do violence to the institution of marriage."

This is actually not a change in position or a retraction for the church as some might suggest. In November of 2008, the leaders from the LDS Church said that they supported laws that would give rights to the gay community that involved hospital rights, employment rights, housing rights, and probate rights. They have always stood by that.

The church made that statement in an attempt to be clear about their position. It is also believed that they made the statement knowing that might influence some legislation bills that were being proposed before the Utah senate last year. However, of the five proposed bills, none of them made it out of committee onto the floor for a vote.

That could be a reason why the LDS Church spoke out publicly at this city council meeting. Whether it is or not, the result was very clear: the nondiscrimination ordinances passed with a unanimous vote. Those present stood and applauded the decisions of the Salt Lake City council. This may be a turning point that will finally put the state legislators over the edge in passing human decency laws in place for all Utahans, including the gay community. One thing is for sure: it is now established in Salt Lake City.

by: Art Gib

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