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November 04, 2008

Hundreds of Mormon Moms Rally Against Prop. 8 in Salt Lake City

Hundreds of Mormon Moms Rally Against Prop. 8 in Salt Lake City

More than 600 Mormon moms, their gay sons and daughters, and allies rallied against Proposition 8 in Salt Lake City on Sunday -- a sharp contrast to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' effort to pass the California ballot measure.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the candlelight vigil was held in the city's Library Square and was organized by mothers disappointed in the church's muscular support of Prop. 8, which would eliminate the right of gay people to marry. The Mormon church has donated millions of dollars to the Yes on 8 campaign.

"This is what happens when people in California say mean things about our gay kids. Mothers come out of the closet," Millie Watts, one of the organizers, said at the event, according to the Tribune. Watts told the paper that she feels "disappointment and betrayal" at her church's involvement in Prop. 8.

Linda Barney, another mom who spoke at the rally, told the Tribune that her heart "reaches out to young Californians, teens who are not out of the closet who are alone...listening to hateful [rhetoric]," adding, "They need to hear from us. They need to know there are people with loving hearts."

The Salt Lake City event was one of several rallies that occurred on Sunday in support of, or in opposition to, Prop. 8. (The Advocate)

Keywords:  2008 Election  California marriage  Prop 8 
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Reader Comments

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  • Name: John C.
    Date posted: 2008-11-15 9:50 PM
    Hometown: Seattle

    Comment:

    Jason Thomas take a look in your History Book! Go far far far way way way back to the Greeks, and even before that. There is documented history to what marriage was back than. It was not always about love. It was about passing ones property on to family, relations, children. Start reading history of marriage...cause I am guessing you like many, really have not read about its beginnings, and just go on with what you interpret it as today. Marriage has evolved through the centuries, and it will continue too. If you look in the bible, in the New Testament, where did Jesus, and I am saying Jesus only say it was wrong for gay marriage. No interpretations please, because, that is how people read the bible. Jesus talked of love, and love only towards thy neighbor. Not judging, not deciding if one group of people can love or not. Jesus was love.....not the double standard alot of christians are today.


  • Name: Dominic
    Date posted: 2008-11-15 5:27 PM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    Thank you Moms! I can only hope that if I am ever faced with the daunting task of defying people important to me, I will have the courage you are showing. Thank you again for simply loving. Dominic Mr. Oregon State Leather 2008


  • Name: Jason Thomas
    Date posted: 2008-11-14 12:09 PM
    Hometown: Alhambra

    Comment:

    I voted Yes on Prop 8 because my convictions of what marriage is and has been since recorded history, in addition to my hope to perpetuate the concept of traditional family structures, is also the very counsel given to me by my Mormon church leaders. I don't hope to force change through my church due to my dissatisfaction of a teaching or requirement. I couldn't conceive of having the same level of insight into societal matters that my church leaders have nor could I expect to achieve a judgmental footing higher than they based on some superior knowledge that trumps President Monson's connection to the Lord. If some Mormons have a differing view on gay marriage than that of our leaders, whom we profess to support, then it is you who have walked away from them and it is a time to ponder what it means for you to support ideas and organizations that are contrary to the teachings of the church and it's leaders. Does that concept sound familiar?


  • Name: Russ Allan
    Date posted: 2008-11-12 8:56 AM
    Hometown: Falls Church, VA

    Comment:

    I believe you will find that the LDS church does not take a tax free status; that it is a corporation, and pays taxes for that reason, which by the way, came about when the US government threatened to take away church property at the turn of the 20th century. Im no scholar, and I try hard not to be judgmental. As a practicing member of the church, I try to help others who have taken this issue more personally, to realize the difference between disapproving of the lifestyle, but accepting and certainly understanding of those who are now very emotionally involved in this difficult issue.


  • Name: KV
    Date posted: 2008-11-12 5:39 AM
    Hometown: Massachusetts

    Comment:

    I applaud the Mom's who were able to have the courage to denounce a piece of their religion which they feel is wrong; a religion that has very likly been the foundation of their lives. I'm certain that it wasn't easy in a private way, but to come out publicly like this is incredible. It would be presumptuous to assume that all Mormon's feel a certain way, or are paralyzed by church doctrine to take an individual stand on a particular issue which they feel doesn't reflect their own opinion. That said, I think it's time for people to stop lumping people into stereotypical groups, for these moms have proven that although they may value their religion deeply, they also will not stay silent on a matter that opposes their personal belief...equality, fairness, and opposing discrimination.


  • Name: Robin Berryhill
    Date posted: 2008-11-12 12:48 AM
    Hometown: Berkeley

    Comment:

    I am a Mormon male that voted No on Proposition 8. The whole matter is about Equality for everyone. Period. That is why State and Church are supposed to be separated. The church has no business in political matters, let alone sinking over 20 million to change the Supreme Court's ruling in California!! Though nothing surprises me anymore. Being a Vietnam Veteran has made me join the Vietnam Veterans Against the War and the Sons of Confederate Veterans in California!!


  • Name: sean
    Date posted: 2008-11-09 11:54 AM
    Hometown: san francisco

    Comment:

    the mormon leadership has performed an arbitrary, hateful, invasive and ILLEGAL act. the old white men of utah and their blind sheep have crossed the state border with their religious lucre to purposely wreck the homes of millions of amazing, beloved and beautiful californians. mormons everywhere will likely now be tarred forever by this supreme act of retrograde hypocrisy.


  • Name: dave
    Date posted: 2008-11-06 8:50 AM
    Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho

    Comment:

    I think a good look into the Mormon Churches tax exempt status is a good idea. Our country was founded on keeping this from happening. Using the pulpit to inluence government affairs is an inquisition like the Pope did in Europe and why many came to America in search of FREEDOM. Prophet tend to Zion and stay out of California affairs and will all be better off. If not hit him in the pocket book its the American way.


  • Name: Ben Jarvis
    Date posted: 2008-11-04 8:35 AM
    Hometown: Newhall, CA

    Comment:

    Millie has been a force of good in the Mormon community for almost twenty years, ever since her son was excommunicated for admitting that he was gay. Those of us who are Mormon have had to fight two battles for equality: one on the public front, the other in our private, semi-closed community. People like Millie are not only an inspiration to me, but she has helped other parents to understand that THEY are not alone, and that having a gay Mormon son or daughter is a wonderful blessing that too few parents get to enjoy. Go Millie! And as she always says, EDUCATE! EDUCATE! EDUCATE!


  • Name: Nick
    Date posted: 2008-11-04 12:03 AM
    Hometown: Rescue

    Comment:

    Bob, call me crazy, but in our church, God's law cannot be altered like our laws can. These "Mom's" believe that God's word can simply be changed. We do not hate gays. We believe that marriage has a sacred meaning and that it is the ultimately bond of love. The only way that relationship can be created is by the man and the woman, each working together to get through their differences and become better people. This is something gays can never accomplish. To quote Orson Scott Card's excellent article on the massachusettes verdict: "they're just playing dress up in their parent's clothes."


  • Name: Granny
    Date posted: 2008-11-03 8:07 PM
    Hometown: Menifee, CA

    Comment:

    God bless those women and children. They are very brave. The mormons around here are hateful and have done everything possible to get people to vote yes on prop 8. I know some of them personally and they are such hypocrits. Please get out and vote NO on prop 8 no matter what party you are voting for.


  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2008-11-03 7:32 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    Way to go, Mormon Moms!!!!! It just goes to show how people feel about the LGBT community when someone they KNOW, is gay. Would that ALL parents were that compassionate. I especially take my hat off to these moms for their public stance for equality, in the heart of Mormon faith, Salt Lake City. God Bless them!!!


  • Name: Eric O. Jackson
    Date posted: 2008-11-03 6:56 PM
    Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico

    Comment:

    I cast my vote for the 600 Mormon moms and their gay sons and daughters!!!! Big cheers from Puerto Rico, returned missionary here. Next? A nice Musical...sort of like a sequel to Angels in America which was just simply great. Or maybe a bus caravan accross America to raise awareness about the true meaning of love. That would be kind of cool. Love is serious stuff.


  • Name: Bob
    Date posted: 2008-11-03 2:17 PM
    Hometown: Hackensack, NJ

    Comment:

    I try not to generalize, but as of late it has been difficult not to simply label the Mormon Church as a hate group. If Mormonism is to survive as a force for goodness in this world, then it will be because of Moms like these who stand up to the lies of their Church leaders. Of course the same can be said about my own Church -- the Catholic Church. The same can be said about Islam and every other religion. You can use your religion as a path into accepting that we are all God's children, or you can use your religion as as a means to express your contempt for all of God's Creation.


  • Name: Mark
    Date posted: 2008-11-03 1:59 PM
    Hometown: Woombye, Queensland

    Comment:

    Will someone please look in to the tax exempt status of this 'church' since it appears they've been preaching from the pulpit? Separation of church and state? Yeah right! Good on you mums! I have three friends who are mormon men and all gay. To say they're gutted about this is putting it mildly.


  • Name: anthony
    Date posted: 2008-11-03 1:11 PM
    Hometown: dublin

    Comment:

    interesting stuff indeed, perhaps all the mormon men thought they could just steamroll their way over the heads of these moms, my congrats to all the moms and their families who came out against Prop 8 in such an important way, lgbt people exist in every sector of life, please remember to get out and vote NO to Prop 8 on November 4th, anthony


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