Utah: Mormon Church Offers Support For LGBT Protections - On One Condition

At a press conference held at Mormon Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, members of the Church's top tier promised to support anti-discrimination protections for the LGBT community - with one condition.

For their support of LGBT non-discrimination laws, the Mormon Church wants LGBT activists and the government to back off.

“When religious people are publicly intimidated, retaliated against, forced from employment or made to suffer personal loss because they have raised their voice in the public square, donated to a cause or participated in an election, our democracy is the loser,” said Elder Dallin Oaks, a member of the church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

“Such tactics are every bit as wrong as denying access to employment, housing or public services because of race or gender.”

The Mormon church is one of several religious groups to complain about religious freedom coming under “attack” in recent years. The Catholic church and Southern Baptists, among other evangelicals, have sounded the alarm as well.

[snip]

“It is one of today’s great ironies that some people who have fought so hard for LGBT rights now try to deny the rights of others to disagree with their public policy proposals,” said Oaks.

While offering this conditional support, the Mormon Church says it will not change it's position on same-sex marriage.

Openly gay state Sen. Jim Dabakis issued this statement via press release:

"I am proud that the LDS Church has seen fit to lead the way in non-discrimination. As a religious institution, Mormons have had a long history of being the victims of discrimination and persecution. They understand more than most the value and strength of creating a civil society that judges people by the content of their character and their ability to do a job."

"Since serving as a Senator, and as the only LGBT member of the Utah legislature, I can say one of the joys of the job has been to meet and enjoy the company of LDS officials. I know that together, we can build a community that strongly protects religious organizations constitutional liberties and, in addition, creates a civil, respectful, nurturing culture where differences are honored and everyone feels welcome."

"Now, lets roll up our sleeves, get to work and pass a statewide Non-Discrimination Bill."