LDS Church not obstacle

I am appalled at the comments made by Judy Shepard, executive director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation: "In Utah I can identify readily what I think is your largest barrier, and that would be the LDS Church." She, of course, backtracked when pressed on the issue. But this is the quiet, embittered minority in Utah looking to push over the 900-pound gorilla.

I agree that (1) Utah needs a hate-crimes bill passed and (2) given the demographics in Utah, the LDS Church has a large presence. However, I disagree wholeheartedly that the LDS Church is an obstacle to the passage of hate-crimes legislation, as well as any other social issues.

Ken Martinez

Salt Lake City