Mormon leaders defended their support for Proposition 8 saying the church is not antigay and accepts legal protections already in California law. Now, Equality Utah wants those California protections extended to gays and lesbians in family values fortress Utah. Stephanie Pappas, Equality Utah’s chairwoman, says:
We are taking the L.D.S. Church at its word.The g
roup has the support of several Utah lawmakers who will sponsor a five-pack of gay rights bills addressing hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, probate rights and civil unions or domestic partnerships.This initiative will be interesting, if short lived — the Utah Legislature's power structure is shaping up to be at least as conservative as in past years. Homophobic Sen. Chris Buttars, right, will be back with what he considers to be a mandate to protect traditional values. A campaign to make Utah more like California will be quickly crushed. The purpose of Prop 8, after all, was to accomplish the reverse.
Meanwhile, the independent-film community is desperately trying to avoid a boycott of Utah's Sundance Film Festival. The annual Park City event is as much a showcase of liberal issue
s as it is an art and commerce event. As filmmmaker Allison Anders (Mi Vida Loca and Gas, Food Lodging) argues, a boycott would hurt exactly the wrong people:
To boycott the festival which has been the home for all diverse voices to be presented on the screen is dangerously backward thinking.New York Post film critic Lou Lumenick offers:
The highly inclusive Sundance Film Festival has played a key role in nuturing the Queer Cinema movement for two decades and showcases several gay-themed movies every year. So this would seem to me to be a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.Finally, Sundance director of programming John Cooper, who is gay and married his partner earlier this month in California, says:
There were times in my 20 years here when I felt like Sundance was one of the only places these voices were heard. Our location in Utah puts us in the heart of America which makes our mission just that much more important. Through the last 25 years this irony has not been lost on me.
6 Comments:
Oh for chrissake, just move Sundance next door to Colorado. Then you can have your film festival and punish Utah too.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I feel a need to speak to you about the corrupt nature of Prop, 8. We have a solemn obligation as the lords elect to overcome the plan of Satan, righteously, by following the “Plan Of Salvation”. I’m certain that you remember being in primary and learning about the war in heaven, how the lord Jesus Christ developed with Heavenly Father the “Plan Of Salvation”, and Satan wanted the Fathers throne. He argued his plan to FORCE the children of god to obey the commandments, thus insuring the salvation of all.
Have you so soon forgot the war that we fought for “Free Will” and would so quickly take the Devils side to force God’s just commandments on our bother and sisters rather than trust that God has the right to judge, and only he has the right to judge the hearts of men. Would the lord Jesus Christ have voted for Prop 8? He would not. Because, he too fought for the freedom of choice in the war of heaven, and he would not have you take a brother or sisters choice away. Let them choose to do what they will, for God is in control, not us, and it’s a greater sin to assume that we should take away the rights of other’s as Satan would have us do. Whether it is smoking, drinking, prostitution, drugs, fornication, homosexuality, lying, stealing etcetera, God knows your heart, and if you desire to control another or through the law manipulate them into salvation, you are following Satan’s Plan and not the Saviors “Plan Of Salvation”. I am ashamed that even the lord’s servants the Prophet and his Apostles would neglect and ignore the “Plan Of Salvation”, And even though I being just a lonely bishop, would exhort the Brethren and all who follow the plan of the devil by creating laws and through physical, mental or emotional force, to REPENT. Stop forcing others to obey the commandments; it is an evil the devil rejoices in. Allow others to choose Christ on their own, so Jesus can help them repent through his sacrifice.
Furthermore, our most conservative and strong prophet Brigham Young said this of marriage in a letter to the United States Government in regards to polygamy:
Quote” Marriage is a civil contract. You might as well make a law to say how many children a man shall have, as to make a law to say how many wives he shall have. It would be as sensible to make a law to say how many horses or oxen he shall possess, or how many cows his wife shall milk”. End quote.
Brothers and sisters as Milton said to Parliament “Truth is infinite and needs no finite protection”, so god is infinite, and his word is truth and needs no mortal nor finite protection.
An Anonymous Bishop In Utah
Here's a thought. Tell everyone to only stay at hotels and motels that post a sign out front that says Prop. 8 is bad for California.
Anon Bishop?
Thanks for the ramble, Superdell . . .
I have always been impressed with the Mormon concept of “Free Agency.” Don’t take away a person’s right to choose. If you don’t believe in gay marriage, that’s fine, but don’t pass a law against it.
In an age of impermanent relationships, we should encourage people to make long-lasting legal commitments to one another. For that reason, I say that gay marriage will be good for America! (And on this subject, everyone should watch the Keith Olberman video on the internet, where he talks about love. It’s powerful stuff.)
Keith Olbermann hates hates HATES anyone to the right of Paul Krugman. Why would I want to listen to him?
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