Listen to this articleA foundation begun in California to oppose the LDS Church’s stance against gay marriage will hold two events in Utah this autumn to protest the church’s treatment of gay and transgender members and to honor queer Mormons who have taken their lives because of this treatment.
On Oct. 4, the Foundation for Reconciliation (also known by its Web site’s name, LDSApology.org) willhold a memorial service for LDS gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender suicide victims at the First Unitarian Church in Salt Lake City, 569 S 1300 E beginning at 7:00 p.m. The service will feature music, speeches and a video presentation narrated by actor Will Swenson, as well as personal remarks from Swenson, who is a well-known LDS actor.
On Nov. 4, members of the group will deliver their Plea for Reconciliation Petition to church leaders by handcart after a march from the This is the Place Monument to the Church Administration Building. A ceremony in the park across the street from the church offices will be held directly after. The group is also collecting signatures to this petition and testimonies from gay and transgender Latter-day Saints and former Latter-day Saints on its Web site.
The group will also meet with Gov. Gary Herbert on Oct. 6 to discuss the need for legislation prohibiting discrimination against gay and transgender Utahns.
