Reader comments
Prop. 8 protest draws thousands in Salt Lake City

1,245 comments   |   Read story

XPolygamistWife | 8:16 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I hope America strips the LDS and FLDS of their 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status. The LDS and FLDS are hate-based organizations.
My LDS apology to gays | 8:16 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Before having a gay son, I spoke against the so-called "gay agenda" with the passion of certainty that comes from righteously defending my LDS faith and God. I was not consciously aware of the hateful homophobia in my rants then any more than I was years before when I unconsciously parroted LDS racist views of Black worthiness prior to the priesthood change. Also, to ask gays to be content with civil union laws is like asking Blacks Mormons in 196o to be content with baptism and association when they wanted full acceptance and temple marriage. Yesterday I heard an LDS leader say that present persecution was a repeat of past trials for today's members. I suppose he meant those earlier days when Mormon leaders were defining marriage as between one man and more than one women. Victimology is in the DNA of our LDS historical memory. Earlier Mormons were just as blind to how their actions were a push that brought pushback as some present members seem to be. But alas, victimology has its benefits if used well. It paints the other as wrong, affirms the self as right, and now garners sympathy from historical religious foes.
Cody Derrick | 8:17 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I was in the thick of it all last night. I feel like we will look back on that moment someday and recognize it as a life changing, state changing, law changing, and life changing moment in our history. I was born and raised Mormon, went on a mission and was engaged to be married in the temple before I came out. Over the last 8 years my affiliation with the church was tied only to my name remaining on their records. When I read the article in the Tribune 2 weeks ago Sunday that spoke of the LDS churches involvement in Proposition 8, I decided it was time to go. It was perfectly fitting that the day before the protest at the temple I received the letter freeing me from the church that I have grown to more completely understand over the last 29 years. I was able to walk in the streets last night with a free conscious. Had I been there, knowing that I was technically still a part of them the night would have been bitter sweet. Thank God- it was just sweet.
Comments continue below
Just doesn't seem to work | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I have been trying to hook up an LPG Projecter for awhile now but I can't get it to work. Both the cords I have are "male" cords and they will not fit together. I need one "male" cord and one "female" cord to make it work. GO FIGURE
JW | 8:25 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
luvswoman: I guess what you are saying is that to be the 'true church' you have to change with the whims of the people on the earth at that time. So... you want a God that changes with the wind??? You want a church that says that gay marriage is acceptable in God's sight. Sorry, that isn't going to happen because God has said clearly that it is NOT right and never will be because he is unchanging. If you think the 'true church' is one that will tell the people what they are doing is right no matter what it is just so it won't face opposition from people like you, then you can find them on every street corner, help yourself.
I am glad though that the people who disagree with the majority vote chose to protest peacefully instead of defacing property, and posting hateful and disgusting videos.
Question: Please answer this for your group: Why are you targeting the LDS church? Please once and for all someone answer that question. Why won't anyone answer this???
Himself | 8:26 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Great, one more reason for the locals to revert to the herd. These are are nervous bunch here, please do
not disturb them.
CHRIS D | 8:27 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Arguing with homosexuals is a useless adventure. They aren't right in the head - they can't see the failure of their own position: They argue for the right to practice their ways, as a matter of survival, when their ways (without the help of heterosexuals or scientists) will ultimately destroy them.

When someone pleads for a position that will ultimately destroy them, arguing with them is useless.

Teach. Vote. Pray. (Not necessarily in that order)
what? | 8:27 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
"As we did in 2000, Californias have overwelming choosen to support traditional marriage and rejected the rulings of activist judges."

I would hardly call a 52% majority "overwhelming". Obama's victory was overwhelming, not this one. California should be ashamed for having a process that allows ANY amendment be passed with a simple majority vote.
Dion in So Cal | 8:27 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Whatever. Where were all these so called "supporters" when it was a good time to rally, like BEFORE the election? Prop 8 passed fair and square, period. Stop the madness, homosexuality is not a civil right, it is simply deviant behavior just like someone who is unfaithful to their spouse or children. Stop trying to say evil is good and good is evil. All of us who faught hard to win here in CA did so because it was the right thing to do. And we did it at the "right time". Just a bunch of sore losers.
Demented | 8:27 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Let me see if I understand these sick people. They engage in homosexual behavior that is completely unnatural and truly demented, and then demand that everyone give them special "rights" to sanction their behavior? And when the voice of the majority of the people always comes out against such filthy and disgusting people (as in CA), then they take to the streets as if protesting will override millenia of social norms and really what should be the bare minimum of standards of decency for any civilization? These gays are not only sick and filthy, they amply demonstrate their low intellectual abilities as well. Even their protests are demented and filthy.
Frances Cervantes | 8:28 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Protest is part of the political system and a peaceful protest is a healthy political expression. I stand with all those gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and enlightened straights who recognize the persecution and bigotry that masquerades behind "christian" theology.
bk | 8:28 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Let freedom ring! The people (not just the Mormons) have spoken. The freedom of choice through the process is a 2-way street! Long live our the democratic right.
Me | 8:28 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Wow! Rocky was there? Man! How did I miss that? Rocky Anderson! I'll bet that was inspiring. What was I thinking? I think I will take a minute and just chant to myself and see if that gets me in the groove....rocky...ROCKY...nope. Can't believe I missed him. Dang.
socalmon | 8:30 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Here in California, the news media mentions that the Church members donated lots of money for Prop.8. But what they don't tell you is of the millions that was donated to defeat Prop. 8, from very large corporations in the S.F. Bay area, such as Pacific Gas and Electric, AT&T, Wells Fargo, even the California Teachers Association. No, the media just mentions that the gay activists are now out to shame prominant LDS donators. I say shame on these corporations for using their money, of which I pay into as a customer, for something I don't stand for. Even the Democratic Party, and of course, the unions, got involved in trying to defeat it, but to no avail. Maybe we should use our clout with these types of businesses that we deal with, in order to offset their boycotts.
Anonymous | 8:32 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
The population of california is 36,457,549. If we assume (unrealistically) that all of those people voted then that would mean that 18,957,925 (eighteen million, nine hundred fifty seven thousand, nine hundred twenty five) people voted in favor of the proposition. It also means that 1,458,301 more people voted for the ban than voted against it. One can hardley say that the church did this, it was the people who spoke. Period.
Good Vs Evil | 8:32 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I personally love my brothers and sisters who have chosen to participate in homosexual activities. But just because I love them does not mean I have to condone and sanction their immoral behavior.

The homosexual community has the right to call evil good and I have the right to call evil evil. Homosexuality is a sin, has always been a sin and will always be a sin. Even when they finally are able to convince the majority of society to call evil good they are still not going to be at peace and find happiness in their behavior.

If they want to continue to commit their sins they have the right to do so, just please stop asking me to condone and sanction their behavior by pushing for a state recognized marriage.



Ken | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
To Mr. luveswomen

Do you realize that if it had not passed and truly became law, that gay marriage would share in every classroom on courtship and marriage, parenting and family life? Do you want your young children exposed to that? I have no problem with gay's and gay rights. We have gays in our own family and enjoy being with them and respect their rights, but I don't want that influence to be openly talked about to my wonderful grand children, like it was the norm. I want my children/grand children to identify with daddy and mommy, not mommy and aunt Jane. Thank God that the proposition passed and the true traditional family can still hold their heads up high and be proud of God's idea of what a family really is.
Walk the Walk | 8:36 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I am delusional or aren't other churches involved in this issue also? Does the Catholic church, Baptist church and other christian denominations that are Bible based churches believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman? WHY ARE YOU CASTING THE BLAME ON THE MORMONS? Is it because they have been more organized and vocal in support of their beliefs? IS THIS STILL THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?

Come on people. Walk the walk. If it is what you believe, you still have the right to say it. Peacefully.
mary | 8:36 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
When this eventually hits the church where it counts (in their wallet),
they will receive another high-profile "revelation." It may take a while
but sooner or later, their pocketbooks will take a hit. (Can you say
"Take the church" ? Tax all churches.
Practical | 8:38 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Wow! I decided to do a little bit of math. As of 2007 the LDS Church had about 750,000 members in CA. 10.24 million people voted in the election, and approx. 5.2 million in favor of the ban. That means that if every LDS Man Woman and child were able to vote and did 4.45 million people still voted in favor of the amendment. The LGBT communty has made the LDS people thier wipping boy becuase they weren't smart enough to voice thier opinion before the election. They are barking up the wrong tree. If they want to be accepted They need to change thier own image(Its tough to relate to the image of a 250 Lbs man dressed as dorthy). I do not believe the LDS church will ever change its stand on the definition of marriage. For them it is far more sacred an issue than in most religions. But if the LGBT community want the practical benifits of marriage (IE: tax, care, ETC.) without the name i doubt that they will stand in the way. They may even find an ally when comes to thing besides the definition of marrage.
Financial view | 8:38 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Strictly financial and sticking to facts. If same sex mariages were to take place there would be tax breaks for the same sex married couples. However those couples cannot produce offspring. So they would take tax breaks but not feed back in to the system. It takes offspring to continue a workforce and a tax base for the future. It does not seem fair that man and woman relationships would have to fill that void.
Re: Your Post is Offensive | 8:40 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Amen, brother. I could not possibly have said it better myself.
Jam | 8:41 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I LOVE IT! THINK OF ALL THE PRESS THE CHURCH IS GETTING! BAPTISMS ARE GOING TO SOAR!
aaa | 8:42 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
5,424,916 voted for Prop 8. Last time I checked there weren't that many Mormons in CA. Perhaps the gay groups should see that this goes a little deeper than support from the LDS church.
Eagle Tail Speaks | 8:45 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
What?
You want me to politically "normalize" a behavior that I believe to be morally wrong? I ain't gonna do it! I can not help. I will not help.
California | 8:50 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Gay rights activists are trying so hard to make this an equal rights issue likening themselves to women and blacks. The difference is that it ISN'T immoral to be a woman and it ISN'T immoral to be black. It IS immoral to be a practicing homosexual. Wrong is wrong.

What about sexual predators or those who are 'genetically' prone to violence? Are these people, "who can't help it," entitled to equal rights too?

There is no such thing as being genetically gay. There might be a tendency there, but we ALL have a choice.

If one is Christian, one cannot accept that God on one hand will say that being homosexual is an abomination and on the other create people that are gay. God is fair and just and will not ask us to do anything we cannot do.

We cannot let alternative lifestyles that degrade a moral society bully or intimidate society.

Let's continue to stand up for what is right.


Civil Rights? | 8:52 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Please be aware of the hateful agenda of the people who pervert the use of orifices. Please note that they demonize the LDS Church for its support of Prop 8 while speaking softly of the dignified support of other Christian groups of Prop 8. This strategy is as old (and effective) as civilization itself--DIVIDE AND CONQUER! First, separate the most vocal and active of the opposition, in this case the LDS Church, from others of like mind, weaken the opposition by pealing them off one by one. Yesteryear, I learned in Civics class (no longer taught, too American) that the Frenchman Alexis deToqueville opined that America is great because America is good. When America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. So gird up your loins, put on the whole armor of God, the barbarians are at the gate. This battle will rage on, it will be long and unyielding against people who clamor for tolerance but have none for anyone else. It's not tolerance they want but rather to indoctrinate.
Go Jazz | 8:52 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Hey enough will all this gay marriage talk Jerry just got his 1000th win. That's what is truly important.
My oldest son | 8:54 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
He worked very hard in Orange county where he lives and works to get prop 8 passed. He said at one time he respected gays but not any longer as the abuse he and others had to suffer even prior to the vote was disgusting and something no person should have to experience. I personally object to allowing sodomy to be enshrined in law and to call it marriage. To allow gays to marry sends a terrible message to all children. The risks of more power to the gay agenda is scary. More activist judges will trample on the rights and freedoms of moral expression in opposition to homosexuality. I am proud of LDS for their line in the stand. People everywhere will come to know who REALLY has moral standards and has the backbone to stand up for our Biblical(and Book of Mormon) moral teachings.The reason the LDS Church is taking the brunt here is because Satan knows all too well who he hates the most and who will fight back against evil.
JW | 8:54 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
tourist-bypassing-utah? Goodness. How immature. So let me think???? Everyone one Utah is mormon and everyone in utah is a bigot and everyone in utah owns the ski slopes? Yes! you are really thinking straight here!!
Utah will really feel pain because of your stupidity!!
Unpersuaded | 8:56 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
"As for the LDS church, why don't they spend their money on improving schools or helping the homeless instead of their usual patented brand of hate and fear mongering?"

The LDS do spend their money as you suggest. I disagree that picketing constitutes a superior form of humanitarian service.
Abraham | 8:58 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I as a veteran and an American support and I am willing to defend the Constitution of the United States.
Under the constitution we are given the freedom to practice our religion. Those that would denigh that right should be called terrorists.
RE:Boise guy | 8:58 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
So in your opinion the vote of the people of the sate of California doesn't matter..I've never seen a bigger group of cry babies in my life..You lost get over it. I haven't been an active memember of the LDS church for years..But the courage of the church in this last episode has made me rethink my inactivity..Oh and I will go striaght down to the temple if the church needs my support.
Manderly | 8:58 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I was trying to think when LDS Church members have gone en mass to California (BYU football notwithstanding) and the Church has made direct contributions... oh yeah... all those wildfire, earthquake, and flood cleanups.
Straight Guy for Gay Rights | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I wonder how Joseph Smith or Brigham Young would have felt about this? Persecuting a group because you don't agree with them....eliminating their rights to be happy.

The LDS church is anti-gay, no question about it! I would love someone to give me a good reason why marriage must be between a man and woman. Don't give me the "thats how God set it up crap". I want a really good reason that explains to me how it impacts your life.
Sadly | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
The smugness expressed by many of the Mormon apologizers on this board is rather sickening. And you call yourselves Christians?
Frank Kameny | 9:01 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
�We are interested in obtaining rights for our respective minorities as Negroes, as Jews, and as Homosexuals. WHY we are Negroes, Jews, or Homosexuals is totally irrelevant, and whether we can be changed into Whites, Christians or heterosexuals is equally irrelevant.�
jw | 9:02 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Tired of the LDS church. Does that mean you are tired of the Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Blacks, Latinos, etc etc. They voted against it too and evidently think marriage should remain between a man & a woman.
You Gotta Be Kidding | 9:03 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Really! This is the strangest protest ever. If it weren't so terrifying, it might be funny. "The law is only the law when it goes my way," the protesters seem to be saying. Or perhaps, "My vote should count more than yours." Or,"You have a right to your opinion as long as it doesn't disagree with mine. There really was a time when America was a kinder, gentler country. I remember it well. That's what we ought to be demonstrating for now. You protesters and rabble-rousers have taken something precious and lovely away from us. The most pernicious, four-letter word in the English language, H-A-T-E, has become the password of the masses, and the world has suffered because of it. Bring back kindness, respect and civility, both in word and deed.
Allow Americans-and all people- the right to voice their opinions through the ballot box. And let the voice of the people be heard! Get a life, you protesters! Turn up your hearing aids and accept the voice of the people. This is not the cause of any one grooup or religion. It is the collective voice of Americans exercising their rights. Live with it!
Anonymous | 9:05 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
To California Mother @ 1:43AM...

"This was about preserving the rights for our children not to be indoctrinated by those who wish to educate our children to their belief system"

Are you kidding me? Isn't this exactly what your missionaries do world-wide on a daily basis? I've never had a couple of gays show up at my door....
YtxPat | 9:06 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Big Deal. So they draw thousands in SLC. If the vote had been in Utah, Millions would have voted to reverse the decision of the liberal judges. If the vote had been nation wide, many Millions would have done the same.

DesNews and the Tribune are making way too much of this story. The majority of the people have spoken.

Isn't interesting that the Black vote helped support a Mormon ideal.
Scott | 9:09 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I remember someone said "evil will be called good, and good...evil".

Are we there yet?
CA LDS GAL | 9:11 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
We actively supported Yes on 8. I have never been so proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with great people who refused to sit back and do nothing. Yes on 8 supporters have been consistently respectful, and supportive of the democratic process. Gays have lost no legal rights and they can do whatever they want behind closed doors. But I am sick and tired of all their public displays of affection, the affect this has on little children, etc...you did hear about the kindergarten class that attended their gay teacher's wedding as a school sanctioned field trip, right? Maybe we should redefined the definition of Love next. This entire group of people have their foundation in lust not love. They are not the same thing.

Look at the numbers, people. I wish there were that many LDS people in CA but there are people from every walk of life that supported 8, not all of them Christian, LDS, or uneducated bigots as you suggest. This is America, we all get a vote. We all know your position and we care for you as individuals but we will not support your union being called marriage, because it quite simply~isn't.
from Bishop Weigand | 9:12 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
"Catholics stand in solidarity with our Mormon brothers and sisters in support of traditional marriage � the union of one man and one woman � that has been the major building block of Western civilization for millennia," Weigand said in the statement.
"The ProtectMarriage coalition, which led the successful campaign to pass Proposition 8, was an historic alliance of people from every faith and ethnicity. LDS were included � but so were Catholics and Jews, Evangelicals and Orthodox, African-Americans and Latinos, Asians and Anglos."

"Bigoted attacks on Mormons" for their part in the coalition "shameful."

"I call upon the supporters of same-sex marriage to live by their own words and to refrain from discrimination against religion and to exercise tolerance for those who differ from them," he said. "I call upon them to accept the will of the people of California in the passage of Proposition 8."
Karl Whittington | 9:12 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
The LDS church deserves all the vilification it is now receiving. It has earned it. Other churches opposed Proposition 8, but they did not support it with all the malice and money like the Mormons.
cynyclsgirl | 9:12 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Again the people have spoken
you CANNOT Dictate to Heavenly Father how you are going to live...
Nick | 9:18 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
I was invited by someone on Facebook to come down and protest. These are my reasons as to why not do so.

A) I'm not going to protest against my church.
B) I have way better things to do on a Friday night.
C) I agree with 1 Nephi 14:13. I kinda giggled because it's true.
D) It wont change anything to stand and complain with signs in an immature fashion.
Jen | 9:19 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
It's interesting that as you scream "biggots", you use intimidation to cram your agenda down the throats of those who fought your agenda peacefully. Your political correctness really means, "Shut up. You'll hear my side, but don't you say anything. I will have things the way I want, and I will do what it takes get it." Legally, this will be taught to young impressionable kids in school (form of recruiting) since schools have deemed themselves as social engineers; look at Massachusetts and their legal requirements. In their eyes, parents have lost their rights to say anything in objection about it. This has been going for a long time; 15 years ago, Project 2000 "donated" gay romance novels to Midwest school districts which we fought. With the family being attacked by drugs, schools using their forum to push �diversity,� and various other threats, the traditional family must be extremely worthwhile and worth fighting for. You should revisit your true agenda and be honest about it--it is the destruction of the family unit.
New Proposition | 9:19 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Proposition 8a:

Make an non-married status that someone can pay a small fee to get. This non-married status will allow them to name a person as a health care beneficiary, a hospital visitor and setup inheritance stuff. This will not be marriage.

Marriage is a religious institution. Government started charging people to get married and having them register and then began to give certain benefits to them because nuclear families are good for society.

Some people join the voluntary minority and obviously don't care for society and what most people in that society have voted for. If they want equal treatment from the government they can have it. But they should not cheapen marriage with a new definition. Next, pedophiles and animal pervs will want marriage.

There is a line and it has been drawn by the voice of the people.
dana | 9:22 a.m. Nov. 8, 2008
Next are they going to protest in East Los Angeles since a vary large percentage of African-Americans and Hispanics voted yes? Are they going to protest these ethnic groups? I didn't think so. No intellectual honesty. Not surprising. Nothing to see here. Just move along.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

Image
Courtney Sargent, Deseret News

The Salt Lake Temple is visible from the site of Friday's rally, which included a march around the two city blocks surrounding Temple Square and the Church Office Building.

previousnext

Latest comments

BYU's Emery injured in practice

As an Aggie fan, I'd like to see the Aggies win against a full strength BYU...

If this story is true what is all the fuss about? It sounds like a Ute fan...

big deal , did he kill anybody? Not that he's a rocket scientist..he just...

MWC '09 season in review

Well done, can I hire you to help with fantasy football?

Oil prices spike

Funny, after this incident, the wind power at Spanish Fork and the geothermal...

Perhaps Maxy's comments were just the continuation of the Y's "quest for...

I have not been able to get this young man & his family off my mind since I...

Don't be so sanctimonious. Every BYU fans harbors these kinds of feelings,...

BYU says Hall incident resolved

adds fuel to the flame , hiding from reality thru your words of hypocrisy!

Fame not always worth it

These people don't care how they achieve fame. They are pathetic. And the...

Advertisements