Prior to 1978, Mormon leaders forbid Blacks from holding the Mormon Priesthood. In 1978, due to mounting pressure from pending lawsuits concerning racism, Spencer W. Kimball conveniently received a revelation that people of color could hold the Priesthood and enter the Temple. If the LDS Church had not changed its views on this, it would have lost its Tax-Exempt 503(c) status - as pending litigation in several states in America was proceeding.
The California-based Christian Research Institute Journal sums up the LDS Church’s financially-footed flip-flop on its racist doctrine:
Writes Latayne C. Scott in "Mormonism and the Question of Truth:"
Just back in February all of the bills under the Common Ground Initiative were shot down, including the one that protected LGBQT people from being fired or evicted simply on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
And yesterday? Finally, at last, in the face of mounting national pressure the LDS church had another sudden revelation and at a public hearing that they officially support 2 ordinances against LGBT discrimination - so no one can be fired or evicted on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
From the two most prominent local papers, the Deseret News (owned by the LDS Church):
and, from the Salt Lake Tribune:
Sweet! Finally having a measure of legal protection in the city I was born, raised in, and call home brings an overwhelming sense of comfort and hope. Just in 2007, for example, Krystal Etsitty, a trans woman who had worked as a bus driver for the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) was fired. As I've mentioned in this blog before, in Etsitty v. Utah Transit Authority, 2007 WL 2774160 (10th Cir. Sept. 20, 2007), the Tenth Circuit ruled that a transsexual is not protected by Title VII as a class and that this particular plaintiff could not establish "Price Waterhouse" gender non-conformity discrimination.
And now, just two years later? We may be protected. And the LDS Church has to follow suit with the rest of the evolving world or sink. I also hope that it's a reflection of the changing attitudes of church members and internal pressure. Or so I hope - and, if so, that it's a change that will last and progress.
SLC Passes Pro-LGBT Measures. Will It Last?
The California-based Christian Research Institute Journal sums up the LDS Church’s financially-footed flip-flop on its racist doctrine:
Writes Latayne C. Scott in "Mormonism and the Question of Truth:"
"LDS leaders... perceived threats in both the outcome of a recent court case on racial discrimination and in the possibility of an IRS review of the Church's tax-exempt status.So, in a statement the LDS Church released to the public - which was a far cry from earlier revelations - they announced that Blacks were suddenly eligible for what they'd been denied for almost 150 years.
Just back in February all of the bills under the Common Ground Initiative were shot down, including the one that protected LGBQT people from being fired or evicted simply on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
And yesterday? Finally, at last, in the face of mounting national pressure the LDS church had another sudden revelation and at a public hearing that they officially support 2 ordinances against LGBT discrimination - so no one can be fired or evicted on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
From the two most prominent local papers, the Deseret News (owned by the LDS Church):
Mormon church supports Salt Lake City's protections for gay rights
Salt Lake City has become the first Utah city to offer housing and employment protections for gays and lesbians — an action supported by the Mormon church.
and, from the Salt Lake Tribune:
Salt Lake City adopts pro-gay statutes -- with LDS Church support
Hours after the LDS Church announced its support Tuesday night of proposed Salt Lake City ordinances aimed at protecting gay and transgender residents from discrimination in housing and employment, the City Council unanimously approved the measures.
Sweet! Finally having a measure of legal protection in the city I was born, raised in, and call home brings an overwhelming sense of comfort and hope. Just in 2007, for example, Krystal Etsitty, a trans woman who had worked as a bus driver for the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) was fired. As I've mentioned in this blog before, in Etsitty v. Utah Transit Authority, 2007 WL 2774160 (10th Cir. Sept. 20, 2007), the Tenth Circuit ruled that a transsexual is not protected by Title VII as a class and that this particular plaintiff could not establish "Price Waterhouse" gender non-conformity discrimination.
And now, just two years later? We may be protected. And the LDS Church has to follow suit with the rest of the evolving world or sink. I also hope that it's a reflection of the changing attitudes of church members and internal pressure. Or so I hope - and, if so, that it's a change that will last and progress.
SLC Passes Pro-LGBT Measures. Will It Last?
!!!!!it's about damn time!!!!!
ReplyDeletethis post reminded me of the song "slc radio" by amy ray.
Salt Lake City radio radio
fighting the good fight for me
all the songs all the words
that don't get played that don't get heard
I'm pulling in to the LDS nation
looking for a community station
Cause we heard about the kids in SLC
and how they fight to be set free
and how they fight for you and me
and radio radio community
I'm sending love to all the Mormons
ain't nothing wrong with changing their plans
I said keep the good things
and throw out the bad things
you gotta pull the reins
on a whole lot of suffering
Radio radio SLC
fighting the good fight for me
Boys and girls lend a hand
bend an ear in God's land
Take your city on a holiday from pain
All you missionaries
can you hear what I say?
I know the bible belt
I know the sobering noose
and everybody's got their own set of rules
But we heard about the kids in SLC
and how they fight to be set free
and how they fight for you and me
and radio radio community
I seen a lotta roads
and pastures and mountains
I met a lotta folks in a whole lotta towns
I feel a crack in the skin of the majority
They're gonna figure it out
I ain't here to fuck the family
Take your city on a holiday from pain
All you missionaries
can't you hear what I say?
Way down in the deep south
I got the bible belt blues
I want to shake these chains off
what have I got to lose?
I said everybody across this nation
stand with me
and your community station
What have you got to lose?
i've been positively giddy about this for the last few days. It's a day of hope, for sure, in SLC.
ReplyDeleteon a totally different note, you need to do a video/photo update soonish, Mister.