Proposition 8 protest in Salt Lake City

A few thousand Utahns are expected to gather near Temple Square tonight to protest The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' participation in California's new ban on gay marriage, a protest organizer says.

Jacob Whipple, the event's organizer, is calling the gathering "a show of solidarity with the protests and marches that have occurred in Los Angeles and San Francisco" since Proposition 8 passed on Election Day.

"This is the moment we as a gay society need to stand up and fight for ourselves," said Whipple, a gay man who planned to wed in California in April.

On Thursday, the LDS Church called on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to "act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, intimidated, harassed or subject to erroneous information."

A constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman was supported by 52 percent of California voters, overriding the California Supreme Court ruling last May that briefly allowed gay marriage.

Some Proposition 8 opponents are blaming the outcome on the LDS Church for its strong support of the ban. Though the church did not contribute directly to the campaign, its members were encouraged to support the amendment through fundraising and grass-roots organizing.

On Thursday, about 1,000 gay-marriage supporters demonstrated outside the LDS Church's Los Angeles Temple. Even more are expected tonight outside the Salt Lake Temple and the church's world headquarters.

At 6 p.m., protesters plan to gather at City Creek Park on the corner of North Temple and State Street. The three openly gay members of the Utah Legislature — Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake; Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake; and Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake — are expected to address the crowd, as is human-rights activist and former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.

After an hour-long rally, the group plans to march around the two city blocks surrounding Temple Square and The Church Office Building — "until we're cold, tired and hungry," Whipple said.

The passage of Proposition 8 has energized the gay community, he said.

"We need to use this momentum and stand up for our rights," Whipple said.

Salt Lake City police plan to have extra officers patrolling the area, including 10 motor cops to help keep traffic flowing and to make sure people cross the street safely, said spokeswoman Lara Jones. Extra officers will be called for traffic control as needed.

On Thursday, the group alerted Salt Lake City officials about the planned protest. Demonstrators are allowed to gather on public property and can march on the sidewalk around the perimeter of the temple grounds, said Helen Langan, spokeswoman for Mayor Ralph Becker.

City ordinance doesn't require a permit for such spontaneous protests, although law enforcement must be informed.

"We're expecting (the protest) to be very contained and peaceful," Langan said.

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com

Contributing: Pat Reavy