Deseret News | Couples pucker up to make positive point

Reader comments
Couples pucker up to make positive point

475 comments | Read story

To Mormons | 3:44 p.m. July 12, 2009

Gay boy here.... Practice what you preach.

Dear "Mike": | 3:48 p.m. July 12, 2009

So, does public access mean that the public is allowed to do whatever they feel like? Can they walk naked through the plaza or just up and hold a giant Woodstock if they feel like it?

Let's not be stupid here. The public does have access but they have to respect the property, and the church has the right to ask people who are behaving inappropriately to leave, just like a privately owned business that's open to the public has the right to refuse service to anyone.

Having public access doesn't mean you can do whatever you like. Even in public parks there are things you're not allowed to do. Show some intelligence here, please. These lame arguments and protests are beginning to get on my nerves.

Apology | 3:49 p.m. July 12, 2009

LGBT should apologize to LDS chruch for not following the rules of the plaza. They should say that these two men were wrong in displaying affection on chruch property and not leaving after they were asked to stop. But we all know they won't because the LGBT community thinks that everything is there and that everyone should have to see things there way. Sorry people if you don't like to be asked not to display affection then don't go on church property and be profane and beligerant that is the real reason we are even talking about this.

Comments continue below

Thin Pancake | 3:50 p.m. July 12, 2009

Here's the deal folks, IT'S PRIVATE PROPERTY!! Nothing else matters, nothing! If I am on private property and am asked to leave, FOR WHAT EVER REASON, I have to leave. If I dont then I am tresspassing, it really is just that simple. I could be asked to leave because of the color of my shirt, or the way I comb my hair, or the kind of shoes I am wearing, or because I crossed my eyes funny, or for absolutely no reason at all. I can choose to leave or choose to tresspass, and then I deal with the consequence of my decision, good or bad. It's an issue of property rights, not gay rights, nothing more

Counter Protest | 3:55 p.m. July 12, 2009

Maybe we should organize counter-protests and send people to the homes of hte gay men and the former councilwoman and stand in their yards and with bullhorns read "the Family: A Proclamation to the World" out loud to them and sing hymns to them. Maybe the first hymn can be, "Because I have been given much I too must give."

Logic | 4:05 p.m. July 12, 2009

Had the couple not been stopped by security, they would have continued on their way and would have been off the property within moments. They were just passing through like thousands of people do everyday.

Sad that people here believe that love is only reserved for people of a certain belief. Many here don't seem to truly understand Christ's teachings.

Anonymous | 4:18 p.m. July 12, 2009

Oh those militant Mormons with their hidden agenda are showing their hatred again!

Dear 'Inlookout': | 4:21 p.m. July 12, 2009

Are you really this stupid? There is no double standard. There's the church's standard which is relations between a man and a woman are okay. Any other form, man and a man, woman and a woman, man and an animal, woman and an animal, man and a little boy, etc are inviolate and not within the standards of the church.

Since it's the church's property, they set the standard by which people must behave. It's not that hard to figure out.

good grief | 4:21 p.m. July 12, 2009

Heterosexual couples have also been asked to stop kissing on the PRIVATELY owned church property. Who cares? This is just another reason for vocal minority within the gay community to embarrass everyone else in the gay community by throwing a two-year-old-esq public temper tantrum. Best thing to do in this situation? Ignore them and walk away.

Dear Gay Boy: | 4:22 p.m. July 12, 2009

The Mormons are practicing what they preach. Maybe the 2 gay men should practice a little of what they preach and that's showing some tolerance and respect of other's beliefs.

question | 4:23 p.m. July 12, 2009

The alleged display of affection took place on private property. People do not have the right to do whatever they want on private property. Get over it.

California boy | 4:23 p.m. July 12, 2009

Good for the LDS church. I'm so tired of the gay agenda here in California. People on here hit the nail on the head. The gays talk about tolerance, respect, and acceptance. Yet they don't have any tolerance or respect for others rights.

They keep trying to force their lifestyle on the rest of the world yet they keep coming off as whackos.

Good for the church. Don't let them ruin things like they have here in California!

Dear Stenar | 4:24 p.m. July 12, 2009

of course they behaved like gentleman and the police always go around handcuffing innocent folks who are being repsectful and courteous of others.

Anonymous | 4:26 p.m. July 12, 2009

I just don't want to see gay couples at all.

Is that so wrong?

To 'Inlookout': | 4:29 p.m. July 12, 2009

You're almost getting it. I'll type this slowly so that you can understand it....it is okay for heterosexual PDA's (within reason) by heterosexual couples. That is what the church preaches. It's not a double standard, it's a very single clear standard called the Law of Chastity.

If you'd like to know more about it, I can send over 2 straight clean cut young men who can give you the basics in six short discussions.

Truth | 4:32 p.m. July 12, 2009

Here is the truth:

“The unholy transgression of homosexuality is either rapidly growing or tolerance is giving it wider publicity. If one has such desires and tendencies, he overcomes them the same as if he had the urge toward petting or fornication or adultery. The Lord condemns and forbids this practice with a vigor equal to his condemnation of adultery and other such sex acts. . . . Again, contrary to the belief and statement of many people, this sin, like fornication, is overcomable and forgivable, but again, only upon a deep and abiding repentance, which means total abandonment and complete transformation of thought and act. The fact that some governments and some churches and numerous corrupted individuals have tried to reduce such behavior from criminal offense to personal privilege does not change the nature or the seriousness of the practice. Good men, wise men, God-fearing men everywhere still denounce the practice as being unworthy of sons of God; and Christ’s church denounces it and condemns it so long as men have bodies which can be defiled.” LDS President Spencer W. Kimball

I Getta Kick... | 4:35 p.m. July 12, 2009

Out of the LGBT Crowd crying discrimination and that a Church does not have a right to beleive what they believe. Last time I checked The GOVERNMENT CANNOT infere with religious beliefs. We beleive that homosexual behavior is immoral. The Government cannot enforce us to beleive otherwise under the 1st Amendment.

Here in So. Cal, I deal with LGBT crowd everyday. What I have discovered is that currently it is "IN" to engage in homosexual behavior and call onself "gay" or "bi". Many "straight" people engaged in homosexual beahavior for the thrill, or experimentation. I hear it discussed everyday. For those of the LGBT crowd who "claim" that they are products of nature, these people are not helping your cause.

Finally, if you want to see how the LGBT want to undermine American Religion, watch the Documentary "For The Bible Tells Me So". It outlines how the LGBT militant groups plan to use these tactics and media exploitation to get religions to accept their lifestyle.

Tired of it | 4:35 p.m. July 12, 2009

I am tired of hearing about the Gay agenda.

Maybe the LDSers should make a call for more Saints to move into SLC and again take the majority. The minority has moved into SLC and love playing the victim.

Take SLC back.

No Double Standard | 4:39 p.m. July 12, 2009

This whole thing about a supposed double standard is driving me nuts.

There is NO DOUBLE STANDARD. If a heterosexual couple walked through the square behaving in a grotesque and inappropriate fashion they would be asked to leave as well. If they then got ugly, shouted profanities and refused to leave privately owned property, police would have no choice but to treat them in the same manner as those two extremely rude, out of line, gay men were treated.

Let's be clear on this. A husband and wife holding hands is appropriate behavior. Even if he kisses her on the cheek, that's still appropriate behavior. If they start slobbering all over each other, then that's inappropriate and they will be asked to leave.

distatsteful | 4:39 p.m. July 12, 2009

The power of love also includes the power of respect, not in your face demonstrations. A city council memebers represents all citizens just not her gay friends.

Congratulations to the LDS church for having standards.

hate gaysandlez | 4:41 p.m. July 12, 2009

you give them an inch they take a mile that is why we fight for our rights you dont see gays in a public hot tub kissing or manig ment would be told about it right away.

is that so wrong | 4:43 p.m. July 12, 2009

I don't want to see Mormon missionaries on my porch, but I have had to get used to it.

To: Logic | 4:45 p.m. July 12, 2009

You don't know what they intended to do. It seems pretty clear by the way they responded to a courteous request to leave that they had an agenda in mind when they started smooching on each other. You don't know how far they were willing to take their display to get the reaction they were hoping for. The fact that they raised a scene and became beligerant tells me they had a deeper purpose.

old el-paso | 4:46 p.m. July 12, 2009

Similar incident here in El Paso. Two men kissing in a taco restaurant were asked to leave after customers complained. Now there are protesters in the streets and the media was called.

Interesting to me how I have only seen the incident in Salt Lake City involving the Mormon Church in the national news. How come?

David Taylor | 4:46 p.m. July 12, 2009

Yes, Justin. Last week I had the opportunity to tell a Mormon missionary who approached me at a gas station that I would not talk to him because of his church's intolerance. Once they were abused because they were different. Now they have become abusers of others not like them. Mormons have a growing PR problem, I think. They certainly do not make a statement that they are kind and tolerant to others who do not believe as they do.

FreedomOfInformationAct | 4:48 p.m. July 12, 2009

don't like the gays in your churches, don't outlaw marriage for others outside your church!

You brought your misguided religious beliefs to bear on Proposition H8 in California, now you reap what you have sowed.

Karen Anne | 4:51 p.m. July 12, 2009

It is way past time to stop all financial Tax benefits for any Church, be it LDS, Catholic, Baptist, JW, Protestant, Methodist, etc. And, I mean in the United States of America!Let them all pay their fair share at the going corporate Tax rates, no exemptions!!!

Anonymous | 4:51 p.m. July 12, 2009

"I am impressed. You were able to draw 60 people to your protest. Hope you get the message that your behavior is not acceptable." That's 49 more than attended the "teabag" rally the week before, and there was no advertising for it from Fox News. Not a good PR move for a group that traditionally has spread their word through missionaries (who must go to other people's property to spread the word). I little consistency would help your cause greatly.

Noorvik | 4:53 p.m. July 12, 2009

The two guys were not "escorted off private property" ... the LDS is heavily subsidized by all of the taxpayers of the US ... including the 30 million or so 'Gay' taxpayers ... by virtue of your "tax exempt' status as a so-called, 'church'. In my opinion, 'churches' should put up or shut up. Pay your fair share of taxes like everyone else, or keep your self righteous 'moral' opinions to yourselves.

Anonymous | 4:55 p.m. July 12, 2009

It's a free country so believe what you want, but push the Gay agenda somewhere else and not on private property.

Reanna | 4:56 p.m. July 12, 2009

The Gay Agenda:

The radical idea that people deserve the same rights no matter who they love.

Fred Smith | 4:57 p.m. July 12, 2009

Church security should have just simply ignored them. If they had done that, the couple would have left and the church wouldn't have been met with another PR mess.

YUCK | 4:57 p.m. July 12, 2009

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth!!!

Leonid | 4:59 p.m. July 12, 2009

I suspect the offense here wasn't so much that it was a "gay" couple but that it was an open show of affection.
The Mormon community frowns on such displays and is probably the most unaffectionate group of people I've ever experienced.

Just2Stressed | 5:03 p.m. July 12, 2009

The church/religion is the most cruel organization in the world. I am not an atheist, but it would be nice if we did away with religion/church.

ummers? | 5:05 p.m. July 12, 2009

A my kids kissed on temple square while they dating. so why didn't they kick them out???????

New Yorker | 5:05 p.m. July 12, 2009

Organized religion is the most devisive and destructive invention that mankind has ever come up with. The Mormons just happen to be one of the worst examples, along with the Taliban and the Evangelicals. The funniest thing about it is the hypocracy. Just look at Ted Haggert. You simple minded sheep will believe anything.

GreenMountainBoy | 5:06 p.m. July 12, 2009

The anti-gay and negative posters here are all cowards and losers who don't even have the guts to post their real names.

free thinker | 5:07 p.m. July 12, 2009

The mormon church is nothing but a cult anyway. It's right there on par with scientologists. Their "religion" was pulled out of a hat and they should be stripped of their tax exempt status for their involvement in politics.

Trissy Star | 5:08 p.m. July 12, 2009

I've been to the area and have saw many 'straight' couples walking , holding hands, and even give the occasional little kiss. Nothing happened to them.

The couple who was cuffed didn't want to leave because they weren't doing anything wrong. Its called being prejudiced. Haven't we been taught since we were babies not to be like that?

Stop the lies | 5:08 p.m. July 12, 2009

Is it really private property? Entire street and area are all paid for by the churhc in cluding all maintenance? If local police paid by PUBLIC tax payers is being used to enforce a discriminatory groups PRIVATE beliefs -- isn't that by definition using PUBLIC funds?

Sleepdawg | 5:09 p.m. July 12, 2009

The question going unanswered: why was this public property ever "sold" to the church in the first place? What possible excuse can be given for taking public resources and giving them to a private yet tax-exempt institution? I understand that pressure was applied. This is intolerable. That property needs to be restored via eminent domain to its rightful owners, the taxpayers of Utah. Further, discrimination is intolerable and hiding behind religion to do it is unacceptable. It is time to control the overreaching influence of LDS in SLC.

No | 5:09 p.m. July 12, 2009

America is so immature when it comes to homosexuality. So MANY of the comments here reflect the thinking usually accomplished by simple minded 5th grade boys.

Andrew Lin | 5:09 p.m. July 12, 2009

"I just don't want to see gay couples at all. Is that so wrong? -- Anonymous"

Yes, it's called homophobia. It's a mental problem. But, you can overcome it by learning that homosexuality is not a disorder and that because of that gay people are just as good as heterosexuals. Like any other form of prejudice, homophobia is bad for society, including the homophobic people. It causes families to be split apart, and a lot of unnecessary suffering.

New Yorker | 5:09 p.m. July 12, 2009

Wow, you people have definitely all drank the koolaid. What a bunch of brainwashed sheep. You sound like members of a cult. Oh, that's right, you are.

aj | 5:10 p.m. July 12, 2009

Knock yourself out people. Just don't do it on Church property. Have at it. And when you are finished with your kiss in, then what?

Another example of the Gay community not having respect or sensibiltites for anyone who differs with them.

They tried to force their way into the Boy Scouts, they assault Church's and the 5,000 year old status quo of marriage, and debase the public square like the party crashers they are.

What next? Will they be seen disrupting and making out in an Evangelical Church service in Michigan or maybe throwing red dye on people in St.Patricks Cathedral in New York or maybe vandalizing LDS Churches and Temples, or sending white powder to Mormon Temples, or will they may make politcal ads depicting Mormon Missionaries as breaking into lesbians homes, ranskacking them and tearing up wedding certificates? Oh sorry, The Gay community has already been there and done that.

PR Nightmares? look in the mirror gay communiity. Your petulant behavior is now your burden.

Dear Anonymous | 5:11 p.m. July 12, 2009

I don't want to see them either, but they are children of God. I do my best to avoid T.V. shows and other things that have those type of characters in them. We should be tolerant and respectful, so if I meet or even know someone who is gay, (I had a gay neighbor. He was very nice. I'm sure he had relationships, but I never knew about them.) I would only avoid them if they were showing behavior that I found unacceptable.

Maggie May | 5:11 p.m. July 12, 2009

Have Mormons ever considered they make more enemies than friends by constantly being so holier than thou and attacking every group that they disagree with? Why can't you learn to live and let live.

No one expects the Mormon church to support gay marriage, or same sex activity. But it is one thing to not support it and quite another to go after it with such venom. Practice your religion and let others follow their own moral codes. Quit beating your breasts and being so obnoxiously self righteously indignant and holier than thou.

jphiggins | 5:11 p.m. July 12, 2009

I don't want to see Mormons at all. Is that so wrong?

Jeff | 5:11 p.m. July 12, 2009

Only the Mormon Church could turn a simple display of affection into a political issue.

Sometimes a kiss is just a kiss.

Lots of men kiss, especially Europeans. It was a kiss on the cheek.

A public plaza is public, not private.

A church should be about love, not hatred.

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.

6 photos

Brendan Sullivan, Deseret News

Frank Armstrong, left, Daniel Lara, former Salt Lake Councilwoman Deeda Seed and Laura Bradford take part in "kiss-in'' Sunday near Main Street Plaza.

Gallery (6 photos)