Gay-marriage advocates protest at Mesa LDS temple

MESA, Ariz. — Supporters of gay marriage were out in force when Christmas displays were lit Friday night at an LDS Church temple.

They were upset with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' opposition to same-sex marriage and the passage of state constitutional amendments banning gay marriage in Arizona, California and Florida in the Nov. 4 election. LDS Church leaders urged members to support the gay-marriage bans through fundraising and grass-roots organizing.

"They're shining their light; we're shining ours," said Bobby Parker, a gay Mormon who organized the event.

Many members of the gay, lesbian and transgender community view Mormon votes and dollars as the deciding factor behind the passage of Proposition 102 in Arizona and Proposition 8 in California.

Proposition 102 amends the Arizona Constitution to define marriage as being between one man and one woman and maintains the current statutory laws that ban gay marriage in Arizona. Proposition 8 amended the California Constitution in a similar way and nullified a state Supreme Court ruling that allowed gay marriage.