Gay-rights activists call for LDS help

Gay-rights activists again called on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to support a body of proposed legislation aimed at securing rights for gay couples Monday.

So far, however, the church has not responded, Equality Utah's executive director said.

"It is a little disappointing," Mike Thompson said during a morning press conference in Salt Lake City. "But we understand ... it will take some time. We continue to be optimistic and hopeful."

"The church is not planning on commenting on civil unions for the time being," spokeswoman Kim Farah said in a statement e-mailed to the Deseret News on Monday.

Members of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays said Monday the activist group would be lending its support to the series of five proposed bills called the "Common Ground Initiative" and asked the LDS Church to do the same.

In supporting California's ban on gay marriage, the LDS Church said in a written statement it "does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional right of churches."

Equality Utah said it has contacted other religious groups in search of support for the proposed legislation.

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