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Official LDS Church Stance on Honosexual Behavior
The recent attention to same-sex marriage in Utah is not the first time the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has expressed its stance against same-sex marraige. In 1998, President Gordon B. Hinckley said the official Church stance is to love all of God's children but condone any homosexual activity. The Church follows what the Bible says in Romans stating that homosexual behavior is a sin. -
Church supports nondiscrimintation
When the Salt Lake City Council proposed nondiscrimination acts to protect people with same-sex attraction in housing and employment, the Church extended its support. The Church said the ordinances were "fair and reasonable." However, it also clairified it is “unequivocally committed to defending the bedrock foundation of marriage between a man and a woman.” -
Mormonsandgays.org launched
The Church launches mormonsandgays.org, where, “with love and understanding, the Church reaches out to all God’s children, including our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. “ It encountered a mixed reception: appreciation from some, like this openly-gay and sealed-in-the-temple blogger, and disdain from others. -
Court ruling on Prop 8 raises "troubling questions"
After Proposition 8 was passed in California, defining marriage between a man and a woman, the Supreme Court refused to address the issue, thus legalizing gay marriage in the state. Then, the Court struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act. The Church said the decision "highlighted troubling questions about how our democratic and judicial system operates." -
Strike-down of gay marriage ban
A federal judge struck down the same-sex marriage ban that has long been in place in the state of Utah. District Judge Robert J. Shelby, who struck down the ban, said that the rights of gay and lesbian couples are protected under the 14th Amendment. This ruling by Judge Shelby was the first step in the beginning 4-month, nationwide debate that is still ongoing. -
Church response to strike-down of ban
An official statement was released from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This statement, which was in response to the events of December 20, instructed LDS stake and local leaders to not perform same-sex marriages, and to not use LDS meetinghouses for marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples. -
Inter-faith group argues against claims of bigotry
Members of the LDS Church, along with religious, academic and social leaders from a variety of faiths and organizations filed arguments against same-sex marriage in a federal appeals court. These arguments largely focused on debunking the claims that the LDS faith and other religious groups base their same-sex marriage beliefs on bigotry and hatred toward homosexuas, arguing instead that marriage between a man and a woman strengthens society and is good for children. -
A child's perspective
The Huffington Post published an article detailing conversations between Huffington Post staff and several Utah children who had been raised in same-sex-parent-households. The point of the article was to show the perspective of children, who get lost in the same-sex marriage debate. These children argued for the legal marriages of their parents, saying their two moms/two dads are “just regular people.” -
"Utah Unites for Marriage"
The “Utah Unites For Marriage” campaign was announced. Prominent Utah individuals are using personal stories of gay couples to promote same-sex marriage. Said one participant, "This is not about special rights. This is about equal rights." -
Oral arguments to come as Denver deliberates
Oral arguments are set in Denver to be between those who challenged the ban and those who uphold it. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and state attorneys will convene and discuss who is responsible for making this decision--the people or the courts.
