Mormons march in Gay Pride Parade to build bridges

[boppers]

Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Before the drag queens in heels danced across Main Street, more than 300 members of the LDS Church left Utah Gay Pride Parade spectators in tears Sunday morning. One Mormon father turned to the crowd and thanked people for forgiving him.

The group, Mormons Building Bridges, said they wanted to send a message of love to the state’s LGBT community, a message they believe is compatible with their faith.

Emily Vandyke, 50, carried a sign with the words from an LDS children’s song: "I’ll walk with you, I’ll talk with you. That’s how I’ll show my love for you."

Several blocks along the parade route, she embraced a tall woman weeping at the edge of the crowd who said, "Thank you."

Read more: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54225023-78/parade-mormons-gay-pride.html.csp

---

It's not a monolithic church, with one viewpoint.

[trumad]

1. yeah...its the

Viewpoint of douchebag Joseph Smith.

[FreeState]

14. I could only wish that were true

Joseph Smith wouldn't recognize the current church at all. Joseph Smith taught that the sin of Sodom was rejecting the prophets, not homosexuality. While he was in charge black members were given the priesthood (Brigham Young changed that).

[Ken Burch]

24. Didn't realize it was Brigham Young that imposed the whites-only priesthood thing.

n/t.

[FreeState]

38. More info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_people_and_early_Mormonism

Early Mormonism had a range of policies and doctrines relating to race in regard to black people of African descent. References to black people, their social condition during the 19th century, and their spiritual place in Western Christianity as well as Mormon scriptures were complicated, with varying degrees and forms of discrimination against black people.
When the Mormons migrated to Missouri they encountered the pro-slavery sentiments of their neighbors. Joseph Smith, Jr. upheld the laws regarding slaves and slaveholders, but remained abolitionist in his actions and doctrines.

Following the death of Joseph Smith, Jr., Mormon leaders beginning with Brigham Young instituted a policy of excluding most people of black African descent (regardless of actual skin color) from Priesthood ordination and from participation in temple ceremonies. These practices continued in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) until the 1978 Revelation on Priesthood, which was canonized as Official Declaration—2.

Brigham Young effectively, according to doctrine, was keeping blacks out of the highest kingdoms of heaven (to get there one must go through the temple.) Brigham Young changed the LDS Church drastically from what it was in its early days. RLDS (renamed Community of Christ in the 1990s) is much closer to what Joseph Smith started with (but it has been changed as well, however, its a much more liberal take on the LDS faith).

[xfundy]

2. It's a Trap.

They're pretending to care about us to get VOTES for their Bishop Elder Pope Rmoney.

[frogmarch]

19. That was my first reaction too.

Even after thinking about it, I still smell a rat.

[KurtNYC]

47. Yes. Interesting timing and it fits with my theory on modern political races:

"Separate your opponent from their base."

[Sekhmets Daughter]

49. I don't think so

The youth are leaving the LDS Church in large numbers....so are women...mothers of LGBT children. I was reading about that just last month. Also, there are many within the Mormon community who are worried that Romney will eventually damage the brand.

[riderinthestorm]

52. Me too - "Lying for the Lord" whereby Mormons are allowed to lie to non-believers

especially if its to protect the image of the Mormon church.

I'm guessing there's going to be a lot of this by Mormons in order to get Mitt elected....

[Fearless]

3. I am proud of those who

truly believe in equality for all. Thank you to them for their participation.

[justice1]

6. It's not easy to admit publicly, that you were wrong.

[agent46]

4. I'm intolerant of intolerance

The Mormons are a despicable cult but it's wonderful to see the humanity shine through even the most insidious mind control.

[LeftyMom]

5. It is a monolithic church.

A few members who disagree with official policy, who can be thrown out for that disagreement, and whose tithes are used to promote regressive policy do not constitute a culture of dissent. At best they're irrelevant and at worst they're quislings.

[boppers]

10. 10 marching in SFO is one thing.

This is 300....

In the geographic heart of the church.

That's like 300 pro-choice Catholics marching through Vatican city.

Sure, it's not 300,000.

It's enough to turn the tide of a war, though.

[LeftyMom]

11. Do they tithe?

You really can't effectively demand change from an institution that's oppressing you at your own expense.

[boppers]

15. Do you pay your taxes?

Does that mean you agree with everything the US government does in your name?

[LeftyMom]

17. My favorite part of a tax audit is when the IRS agent asks if I masturbate.

Oh wait, that's a temple recommend interview.

Paying taxes for services is not the same as being voluntarily shaken down to fund a racist, homophobic, anti-woman hate group.

[Phlem]

25. Nice.

-p

[boppers]

28. Not in any temple recommend interview I had.

You had a pervy Bishop?

Wait, let me guess, you're not actually LDS, and never had a temple recommend?

[LeftyMom]

31. You weren't asked if you were keeping the law of chastity?

[boppers]

33. I wasn't asked if I masturbated.

Are you conflating religions?

[FreeState]

37. As a teenager and a missionary I was asked multiple times

After the mission no one asked - however we even had a whole fireside in the MTC on the evils of masterbation.

I however was never asked this once I was back from my mission. (and every missionary I know was asked this question, including all my brothers who went on different missions over a 20 year span).

[boppers]

40. Ewwww.

Must be the catholic thing.

[FreeState]

43. Catholic? I was born and raised LDS

No catholics in my family.

(I, along with everyone in my MTC branch that was male, was asked if we masterbated and if we had a problem with beastiality by our branch president in out PWI)

[boppers]

44. Wow. That's a creepy ward and MTC.

Sorry. Not because its my fault, but that's some serious WTF.

[totodeinhere]

51. +1

[trickyguy]

7. It's one tiny little baby step for those Mormons.

Sure, they'll walk and talk with us.
But they'll also help vote against us in California.
And consider us an abomination according to church doctrine.

I'd like to see some real strides before I buy any of their tears.
And yeah, I'm cynical about that group.

[caseymoz]

8. They'll still line up 85-95%

behind their church policies. And, yes, arguably, the possibility of having a Mormon Bishop as president will supersede orthodoxy.

[boppers]

12. "Bishop" in the church is theologically meaningless.

You know how much formal teaching and study you need to become a Mormon "Bishop"?

Zero.

They do "lay clergy", a "Bishop" is a guy with time on his hands.

That's all it takes.

Your statement would be more correct as follows:
"And, yes, arguably, the possibility of having a Mormon as president will supersede orthodoxy."

[kestrel91316]

21. No, a "bishop" is any male over the age of 13 in good standing, IIRC.

ETA: My bad. A PRIEST is any male over age 13 in good standing. A bishop is the most domineering fascist of the local group.

[boppers]

29. They have a thing for pointless titles.

Deacon->Teacher->Priest->Bishop->Elder->High Priest/Patriarch->Seventy->Apostle

No, a 13 year old is not a Priest. You have to be at least 16.

To be a "Priest".

[kestrel91316]

50. Oh, my bad again, I thought it was 13.

[caseymoz]

45. I'm aware of that.

Still, it sounds prestigious to people outside the Church. It will lend even more credibility to the Church if a Mormon Bishop becomes president. Therefore, making this happen is going to drive this church and it's members, more than a "moral" principle like homophobia. They'll revert to form after the election, except more so if they win.

[hrmjustin]

9. Folks it was a beautifull moment, lets savor it.

I left the RCC to become an Episcopalian, because I was told I was going to burn in hell for being gay by a bishop.

[Aristus]

18. That was so beautiful, I don't have the words.

Then again, I'm straight. I don't blame anyone in the LGBT community for being a bit skeptical. Still, I was very moved...

[msongs]

13. They blocked your ability to get married, why not celebrate it after the fact.

[boppers]

16. The US government blocked their ability to get married, too.

It's all kind of bizarre.

[kestrel91316]

20. Those 300 Mormon supporters are in deep s--t with their church now and

can expect the full weight of their local church hierarchy to come down on them.

I expect excommunication for some and perhaps all of them.

[FreeState]

22. Really? Excommunication?

Why so? I was an out gay man in the LDS Church for many years and was never threatened with excommunication (even while being the president of a student run gay group that was in the local media in Utah numerous times). The LDS Church rarely exs gay members anymore and its almost never for supporting gay rights.

[kestrel91316]

23. I can't imagine they'd let this open defiance of church doctrine to stand.

[boppers]

30. Oh, in LDS, the word "doctrine" has a very specific meaning.

Can you point to the passage in the D&C where it says gays cannot be part of the church?

Do you even know what I'm talking about?

I'll wait.

[K8-EEE]

26. I saw an autobiographicsl play called "Confessions of a Mormon Boy" where he got X'd

because of being gay -- he was surprised because he went to the "SSA reparative therapy" and kept coming back saying it didn't work. He truly thought that they could cure him, but they ended up X-ing him and he asked them "how can I be Xd for being gay when you told me there is no such thing as gay?"

[boppers]

32. Sounds like there's more to the story.

Is the play available online?

[K8-EEE]

34. Not the whole thing but excepts here:

http://mormonboy.com/confessions.shtml

[boppers]

36. So, left his wife, became an addict, and then a rent boy.

That's a bit more than excommunicated for just being gay.

Unless, of course, you assume *all* gay men leave spouses to become addicted rent boys.

Which would be... weird.

[FreeState]

39. Actually it was because he was gay... heres the letter from his stake

http://www.mormonboy.com/blog/2010/07/02/excommunication-letter/

Dear Brother Fales,
This letter will confirm the decision made at a Church disciplinary council held in your behalf on July 16, 2000, in the Sandy Utah Canyon View Stake that you be excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the practice of homosexuality. you should know that if you wish to appeal this decision that you may do so to the First Presidency through President Hunt.

Steven, we are most grateful that we had the opportunity to meet with you at this important meeting. Your honesty, openness, and the expression of your values and feelings were genuine and sincere. During that short time together we felt of your spirit and commend you for the devotion and dedication you have shown over your life to the Lord and His Church. We are saddened that your behavior has brought you to this point in your life.

Excommunication is the most severe Church disciplinary action. A person who is excommunicated is no longer a member of the Church. As such, you no longer have any privileges of Church membership. You may not wear temple garments or pay tithes and offerings. You may attend public Church meetings if your conduct is orderly, and we encourage you to do so. However, in such meetings you may not give a talk, offer a public prayer, partake of the sacrament, or participate in the sustaining of church officers.

This is very rate regardless. It could be an overzealous Bishop and Stake President, but regardless its hard to find this happening within the church in the last 20 or so years (this is one of maybe two cases I know of, and I know a lot of exmo gays).

[boppers]

42. Al Capone was convicted on tax evasion.

Law doesn't work the way most folks think it does.

[Iliyah]

27. So the Mormom religion is like

the Catholics wherein the higher ups are like the paranoid ones but the regular folks are ok?

[Kali]

35. not all the regular folks are ok

but like all groups there are some good and bad and all in between

not my thing (any religion for that matter) but I live amongst them and some are good people, others are real assholes - just like everywhere.

[OKNancy]

46. There are Mormons who are Democrats, for Obama

and could be thought of as liberal.
http://mormonsforobama.org/

and this article
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/05/04/pro-obama_mormons_unswayed_by_shared_faith_with_romney_114040.html

[NorthCarolina]

48. But, are they still bankrolling anti-gay politicians/legislation?

My guess is YES, so I have to say...I smell a rat in this new development.

[FreeState]

53. Word is they are staying out of the ballot measures this time n/t

[schnavelli]

54. Build Bridges

This is a wonderful wonderful step forward for humanity

[Skinner]

58. I agree that this is a step forward.

Welcome to DU, schnavelli.

[bitchkitty]

55. PLEASE don't fall for this shit.

They want Rmoney in the White House. That's what this is about. Please don't anyone be fooled.

[NuttyFluffers]

56. "i'll walk and talk with you"... cut the crap & stop funding laws that deny civil rights

you either support people or you support an institution. pick one. enough games.

[Douglas Carpenter]

57. beaufiful --- knr