Protest of Mormon LGBT policy planned in Salt Lake City

The LDS Church is standing behind its new rules targeting gay members and their children, but officials provided information Friday meant to clarify the policies.

Church leaders elaborated on the policy on Friday, saying the withholding of baptism would apply only to children whose primary residence is with a same-sex couple.

But the new guidance didn’t sway those in attendance at the rally, attended by at least 500 people. “Adults who choose to enter into a same-gender marriage or similar relationship commit sin that warrants a Church disciplinary council”.

“If you are hurting today, you are not alone”. A spokesman said there are probably not many children in this situation.

Leah: “I feel very strongly about it. I think without even this new policy we have a serious problem”.

“This policy has reopened a lot of wounds that we’ve been trying to heal”, said Troy Williams, a gay man and former Mormon who serves as executive director of a prominent Utah LGTB group called Equality Utah. But she said the rule changes still stung her.

“My family is still all really Mormon”, said Barth, of Cottonwood Heights, Utah. There will be 4-5 testimonials speakers at the park while people who need to get their letters together & then the letters will be deposited in a mailbox near the church office.

“This is the first time I can remember disagreement with a Church policy cutting through the orthodox-heterodox divide”, said Lorie Winder Stromberg, a Mormon who is on the board of ordainwomen.org, a group advocating for Mormon women’s ordination.

“We’re supposed to love our children like God loves us”, said Teresa Schofield. Still, bishops are the top authorities in their dioceses and can make such decisions on their own.

In the days leading up to the event, more than 1,700 church members sent requests to be removed from the church’s rolls to a local attorney who has publicly volunteered to help with the process. The policy comes after a June landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court which made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 USA states.

The vibrant world of Mormon websites and social media sites have been buzzing as Latter-day Saints digested and dissected the new rules. He and his wife Sandy Newcomb, also an ex-Mormon, came to show their support. At Sunday worship services, people discussed the changes, with many offering their condolences to families of gay Mormons.

Gary: “Personally, I see the logic behind it – there’s only a few things that could be classified as apostasy within the LDS church, and one of those is continuing to go against an established doctrine”. It also bars the children of gay members from joining the church until they’re 18 and pass a series of church requirements.