LdC

Utah House Majority Leader Kevin Garn Gets His Standing Ovation

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:17:00 +0000

Watch the Speaker of the House begin to set the mood for the Big O starting around the 2:38 mark:

And The Daily Herald gets it right ... Hold the applause: A shameful moment in the Utah House:

Kevin Garn, the Republican majority leader in the Utah House of Representatives resigned Saturday, not because it was the right thing to do but because it was the only thing he could do.

Mirroring Sheldon Killpack, his counterpart in Senate leadership who was forced to resign at the beginning of the 2010 session, Rep. Kevin Garn of Layton was caught in a web of his own making.

This Killpack ... Utah Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack arrested for DUI:

As The Daily Herald notes (shades of William Blake?):

[Garn's] departure wraps things up [i.e., Utah's 2010 legislative session] with sickening symmetry.

And I wholeheartedly agree with Holly on the Hill (who serves up a nine-point indictment of the creep behind the creepy Capitol Kabuki that she's dubbed "ApplauseGate"): Utah’s Speaker of the House, Dave Clark, needs to resign. Now.

In addition to booting this clap happy mutual admiration society from office, with a new census on the way, Utahns ought to be insisting on a fix for their gerrymandered state.

Some have pondered the potential "Vaticanization" of downtown SLC, but the way things are being run over at the Capitol and COB, Utah's apparently already got its own Vatican-on-the-brine. It's déjà vu:

Cardinal Sean Brady, the Primate of All Ireland, admitted that he attended meetings in 1975 when two teenage boys signed oaths of silence while testifying in a Church inquiry against Father Brendan Smyth ... [Cardinal Brady] said the responsibility for Smyth’s behaviour as a priest rested with his religious superior in Kilnacrott and not with him.

All over again:

Pursuant to our usual procedures, the 2008 letter sent by Ms. Maher to Church headquarters was referred to local ecclesiastical leaders to be addressed. Church disciplinary matters are handled at a local level and not at Church headquarters.

But once the locals have gotten it wrong and the "usual procedures" have proven inadequate, isn't it time for the leadership to stop playing innocent bystander? If not, as Stephen Fry might ask, "what are you for?" Frankly, considering its role in this story, the LDS leadership looks to be for a practice discontinued by the Catholics since 1567, the year that Pope Pius V did away with the selling of indulgences.

Update: Latest from The Salt Lake Tribune: Ovation echoes » Lawmakers under fire for applauding their colleague. House Speaker David Clark continues to dazzle with brilliance:

"I hope the people of Utah understand that our [clapping, cheering, crying, hugging, whooping and hollering display of] support of Representative Garn and his family does not in any way signal support for illegal, unethical or ill-advised action by any member of the House."

Personally, Dave, I hope the people of Utah decide they've had enough of being taken for fools by the likes of you:

Few in the body knew the [March 12] admission was coming, although Clark had learned of it four days earlier ... In hindsight, Clark said, another venue may have been more appropriate for the announcement.

Dave, you talk about "hindsight" with regards to a bit of political theater that you yourself orchestrated less than a week ago?

How about a nice big round of applause for your comedy performance?

P.S. No kidding, Jack, what's up with that?

*Bagley cartoons posted with permission

BYU Management Society to award NOM director Orson Scott Card

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:30:00 +0000

X-posted.

From the press release:

The Washington, D.C. Chapter of the BYU Management Society (BYUMS-DC) announced today that it would honor best-selling author and columnist Orson Scott Card at its annual Gala Dinner on April 24, 2010. Card will receive the chapter's Distinguished Public Service Award and will deliver keynote remarks about his views on ethical leadership today and his experiences as a prominent member of the literary and academic communities.

"We are proud to be honoring Orson Scott Card during this year's Gala Dinner," said Sen. Gordon Smith, Chairman of the Advisory Board. "His words and his example have reached millions of people, and his spirit of mentorship and service have much to offer our community."

As it turns out, my very first post at Daily Kos also included a quote from Senator Smith:

"Part of what I fear, as you start defining marriage — we have a long history of doing that in this country, and my Mormon pioneer ancestors were the victims of that. They were literally driven from the United States in the dead of winter for following their religious beliefs. I don’t want that coming back, but there are some on the front pages of your newspapers who are trying to now." -- Gordon H. Smith

That was June of 2008. Smith was trying to strike a moderate tone in a tough battle for his seat and I was dashing off glib diaries about Mormon involvement in a sure loser for the LDS (the Yes on 8 campaign).

Both approaches wound up paying off equally brilliantly.

Live and learn.

What Smith apparently learned from his loss is that "moderation in all things" is truly overrated. Otherwise, two years on, what else to make of his latest brilliant move: assembling a gaggle of high-flying Mormons to publicly honor National Organization for Marriage board member Orson Scott Card for distinguished service to ... the public.

The same public that is already aware (and aghast) that OSC has lately swapped the novel form for writing whackadoodle newspaper columns and blog posts?

No, obviously not that public (2008 taught me a thing or two as well: I've yet to affect the outcome in a single Mormon-inflected political contest, and I've long since owned up to the inadequacy of my online derision as a means of influencing a public that I now admit to hardly knowing). To demonstrate how grown up I've become, what follows is some exceedingly dispassionate and mature speculation regarding how on earth the BYU Management Society could possibly deem OSC deserving of this honor (with bonus Executive Summary gravitas courtesy of the outline format).

I. Could it be belated Mormon gratitude for OSC's youthful support of George Wallace at a time when young people of his caliber were hard to find in the ranks of the pro-segregation, anti-miscegenation American Independent Party?

I completely bought into the "not a dime's worth of difference" slogan and yes, on my college campus I took part in the Wallace campaign ... if you look at what I was doing in college, there's no denying it, I was a Wallace supporter in September and October of 1968. -- Orson Scott Card

II. Or perhaps a more modern Mormon sensibility is what produced the BYUMS-DC decision, and it's meant to signal an overdue recognition of OSC's subsequent apology for supporting the Wallace campaign:

Within a couple of years I had learned a little more and was deeply embarrassed at my naivete and stupid enthusiasm. I changed my mind completely. Now I have a deep aversion to bigotry-centered populist demagogues -- one thinks, for instance, of the leaders of the anti-amnesty movement. (I'm thinking of Pat Buchanan and, to my disgust, my fellow-Mormon Mitt Romney.) -- Orson Scott Card

III. BYUMS-DC enthusiasm for (re)criminalizing homosexual behavior?

Laws against homosexual behavior should remain on the books...to be used when necessary to send a clear message that those who flagrantly violate society's regulation of sexual behavior cannot be permitted to remain as acceptable, equal citizens. -- Orson Scott Card

IV. Or perhaps it's OSC's penchant for government overthrow if the gays are allowed to marry?

How long before married people answer the dictators thus: Regardless of law, marriage has only one definition, and any government that attempts to change it is my mortal enemy. I will act to destroy that government and bring it down, so it can be replaced with a government that will respect and support marriage, and help me raise my children in a society where they will expect to marry in their turn.

Biological imperatives trump laws. American government cannot fight against marriage and hope to endure. If the Constitution is defined in such a way as to destroy the privileged position of marriage, it is that insane Constitution, not marriage, that will die. -- Orson Scott Card

V. Or maybe it's simply BYUMS-DC's way of finally congratulating OSC on his ascension to the NOM board (and of assuring him that Maggie Gallagher was not the only one enthused by his appointment):

"We’re extremely honored that Orson Scott Card has joined with NOM in our shared mission to protect marriage and the faith communities that sustain it," said Maggie Gallagher, president of NOM, "He is one of the great science fiction writers of our time and a real voice of courage and intellect on behalf of marriage." -- Margaret Srivastav

VI. Whatever the reason, it certainly had nothing to do with this.

Pax et bonum!

And a P.S. link just in case next month (April 24th, 6:00 - 9:00 PM, to be exact) will be your first time visiting the Crystal Gateway Marriott.

And the Brodie goes to ...

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:34:00 +0000

Head over to Main Street Plaza to find out who got to take home a Brodie Award for X-Mormon blogging X-cellence in 2009.

Thursday at the movies: "for the BIBLE tells me so"

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:10:00 +0000

for the BIBLE tells me so (IMDb): An exploration of the intersection between religion and homosexuality in the U.S. and how the religious right has used its interpretation of the Bible to stigmatize the gay community.

Attention! Spawn of Brodie: You have until 2/22 to vote for 2009 Brodie award nominees

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:51:00 +0000

The polls are now open over at Main Street Plaza

and the voting has begun that will decide the winners of the

2009 Brodie awards for X-Mormon online excellence.

A big tip o' the hat to chanson for organizing and hosting this first annual event.

Be sure to check out all the worthy nominees before polls close 2/22!

Sponsored by the MAA:

Critically-acclaimed author Walter Kirn named X-Mormon of the Year 2009

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:49:00 +0000

Head over to Main Street Plaza and congratulate Kirn on a well-deserved victory!

The author of Thumbsucker, Up in the Air, and Lost in the Meritocracy — has been voted 2009 William Law X-Mormon of the Year!

In Kirn's own words:

dang right i want this distinction. what’s wrong with that? having suffered through the anti-masturbation campaign
revved up by the church in the late seventies, i also believe that i’m fully qualified to represent… screwed up people everywhere.

Bravo!

Outside reading:

The Canadian Press: Nearly decade after publication, novelist Walter Kirn's 'Up in the Air' takes off as hit movie

Colbert Nation: Author (and frequent Colbert guest) Walter Kirn named 2009's X-Mormon of the Year!

Literary Kicks: Up In The Air With Walter Kirn

“Up in the Air” rocks, but winning “X-Mormon of the Year” rules ...

Walter Kirn explains why the William Law X-Mormon of the Year
award means more to him than anything Hollywood has to offer:

Mormon pollster Gary Lawrence: I'm the idiot who wrote "Six Consequences"

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:59:00 +0000

Joanna Brooks has a worthy piece on Mormon Prop 8 involvement currently up on the front page of Religion Dispatches. Please go take a look.

This next bit is just me filling in a (minor) gap in the reporting: "A primary source of Mormon messaging during the Proposition 8 campaign was the anonymously-authored 'Six Consequences if Prop 8 Fails' document, which went viral across Mormon social networks after its introduction by email in mid-August and was utilized as a training document and handout in the Mormon-coordinated ground campaign".

Anonymous? Ahem. Here's an 8-second clip of LDS/GOP pollster Gary Lawrence claiming authorship of the infamous half-baked half-dozen:

Transcript: "In fact, the idiot who wrote the Meridian magazine article is me. And the idiot who wrote the 'Six Consequences' is me."

Of course, this gem remains my all-time favorite Gary Lawrence clip:, We Want Negative Buzz!

You want it, you got it, Gary. Mission accomplished!

Sundance exposure leads to Buttars meltdown

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:04:00 +0000

Utah senator claims his homophobic rant - recorded by the creators of "8: The Mormon Proposition" - was induced by BYU insignia:

8:TMP's Sundance debut was apparently a huge success, with lots of favorable local coverage:

Plenty of folks showed up for both Sundance and the kick-off of the Utah State Legislature's 2010 General Session:

Of course, no trip to Utah would be complete without locking horns with last year's star of Buttarspalooza, who is now claiming the makers of 8: The Mormon Proposition tricked him by wearing BYU T-shirts to last year's interview that launched the documentary film:

Gotta love how the LDS church issues a statement calling for truthfulness and Mormon senator Chris Buttars responds by lying about the film crew who caught him on tape!

Soon after a local Utah blogger produced PROOF of Buttars' mendacity, the film's director, Reed Cowan, called on the prevaricating Utah state senator to RESIGN.

Good times!

Video Tags: 8TMP, 8:TMP, 8: The Mormon Proposition, Brandie Balken, Bruce Bastian, Buttarspalooza, Chris Buttars, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dustin Lance Black, Equality Utah, Eric Ethington, LDS, LGBT, Mormon, Mormons, Matthew Lyon, Pride in Utah, Reed Cowan, Steven Greenstreet, Sundance, Troy Williams, Utah

Here's where I start dropping random links as the story develops:

One Utah: The very special cowardice of Chris Buttars

KUTV (latest Utah TV news report): Filmmaker Calls For Buttars Resignation; Says He Lied

SL Trib blog: More fallout from "8": Utah State Sen. Chris Buttars doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut.

Oh, and by the way, just in case you failed to notice, we're currently voting on X-Mormon of the Year HERE. My own personal favorites (and it's an honest toss-up, folks) include: Dustin Lance Black, Reed Cowan and Christine Johnson. Whoever you vote for, pls take advantage of the opportunity to finally vote on the Mormons!

Main Street Plaza now accepting nominations for 2009 X-Mormon of the Year

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:46:00 +0000

So far, 2009 X-Mormon of the Year nominees include:

Walter Kirn
Chad Hardy
Reed Cowan
Steve Benson
Brian Keith Dalton
Christine Johnson
Heather Armstrong
Dustin Lance Black
Brecken Chinn Swartz

Head over and join the discussion at Main Street Plaza.

Fred Karger: Ex-Political Pundit Embraces Gay Rights Activism

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:33:00 +0000

Dan Morain's Sacramento Bee profile: An operative comes out of the shadows

Fred Karger and Chris Morrow's camera, prior to and later at the Prop 8 Trial (with guest appearances by Richard Stapler, Stuart Milk, Therese Stewart, Adam Hahn, and David Boies):

Below by Jennifer Erickson
Originally published in The Laguna Beach Independent
Republished by permission

Laguna Beach resident Fred Karger’s fight against the 2008 California ballot initiative to make same-sex marriage illegal has transformed him into a nationally known gay advocate as well as a target of a daunting lawsuit.

Yet, Karger, 59, had not even come out publicly until 2006 when beginning a local campaign to “Save the Boom,” the legendary gay Laguna Beach nightclub that closed in 2007.

Having worked as a political consultant in Los Angeles for 27 years, Karger’s activism was public, but his sexual orientation was very private. “I was scared to death of being found out,” said Karger of his years of secrecy. “Looking back, it’s hard to even imagine what I went through, the fear of being discovered for so many years…”

Karger’s involvement in politics began at the tender age of 10, attending a press conference with his grandmother in the suburbs of Chicago where he grew up. “I just always loved it,” he said, adding that he used to ride his bike to the local campaign headquarters of various politicians.

But political activism was a volunteer activity for Karger, who moved to Los Angeles after graduating from college in 1973. He didn’t consider it a career option and instead worked as an actor for three years. When his work became politics, Karger’s acting took on a more personal dimension.

After volunteering for the campaign of a state senator, Karger was hired by a political consulting firm run by Bill Roberts, who became his mentor. Their first major client was a state senator from Long Beach, George Deukmejian, then running for attorney general. The firm helped Deukmejian’s subsequent race for governor.

Karger worked for Roberts until his untimely death in 1988. By then, Karger was a partner in the firm, which would shift to corporate clients from politicians over the next decade.

Until his retirement to Laguna Beach in 2004, Karger successfully played the role of a straight man. “My acting background probably helped me put on a good act for a long time,” he said, admitting to an 11-year relationship with another man that neither his employer nor family knew about.

In Laguna, the tables turned. Instead of hiding his orientation to save his job, Karger’s self-appointed job is now to “save” gay rights.

“This is a very powerful story, because it is a story that is replicated all over the country and the world, the story of a man growing up who is gay and unable to deal with it for lots of reasons,” said Bob Gentry, Laguna’s first openly gay mayor, whom Karger considers his hero.

That Karger’s activism dovetailed so seamlessly with his coming out should be no surprise, Gentry said, since newfound freedom is empowering.

Saving the Boom saved Karger. He lamented the closing of gay bars in Santa Barbara, and was afraid that Laguna’s fate might be the same. He looked to Gentry for advice. “He gave me a pep talk and said ‘Don’t be afraid, you’re doing the right thing. Be proud of what you’re doing.’”

The Boom effort won him recognition in the gay community and proved the perfect segue into a far bigger battle.

Karger’s years of experience in politics attuned him to the need to question the role of big donors in the anti gay marriage Prop. 8 campaign. He looked at similar battles in other states and found that no one was challenging major donor opponents there either. Karger decided to take up the gauntlet, though it made some uneasy.

Since establishing Californians Against Hate in July 2008, Karger has strived for full disclosure of the people and organizations financing the campaign against gay marriage rights. “I wanted to make it socially unacceptable for people to give massive amounts of money to take away the rights of a minority,” said Karger. And despite voter approval of Proposition 8, he believes that has been accomplished, though not without personal cost to him.

Californians Against Hate filed a complaint with the state Fair Political Practices Commission against the Mormon Church in November 2008 for failing to report numerous non-monetary contributions to ProtectMarriage.com, a coalition formed to support Prop 8. The enforcement division of the FPPC subsequently opened an investigation of the allegations made in the complaint.

When gay marriage opponents began supporting an initiative last year in Maine to overturn same-sex weddings, Karger called for another investigation, writing Maine’s Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices and its attorney general, detailing alleged election law violations by Stand for Marriage Maine.

Karger’s activism in September led to his entanglement in a federal lawsuit. He was served a subpoena by the National Organization for Marriage, organized to oppose same-sex marriage in state legislatures, in its suit against top California state officials over public records.

Karger anticipated what he believes is retaliation. The subpoena compels him to produce a daunting amount of records for Californians Against Hate since January 2008. He retained Stevens, O’Connell and Jacobs to represent him.

Gentry believes that Karger’s fight for transparency is fundamental to suppressing oppression of gay and lesbian people. Gentry is convinced that Karger’s opponents are trying to silence him since “they do not want our voice because our voice is a voice of honesty and transparency. Their voice is a voice of innuendo, prejudice and bigotry.”

It turns out, the subpoena held a silver lining, literally and figuratively. Last month, under both the emotional and financial strain, Karger set up a legal defense fund, “FiveforFred.com,” requesting five-dollar donations from supporters in an email plea. He discovered just how many people are already behind him.

He’s received more than $18,000 from people all over the country, much of it in five-dollar contributions. “The fact that I’ve gotten this huge amount of support is so meaningful and gratifying. Quite frankly it makes all the difference,” he said, and will help pay for the latest invoices from his attorneys.

According to Gentry, Karger “is becoming a hero to thousands of people who hear about him, because he gives them the strength to be themselves.”

Prop 8 Trial Twitter Feeds

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:16:00 +0000

See below. More Prop 8 trial Twitter feeds as I find them.

Pls note there's a good chance of intermittent service from the below feeds due to huge traffic.

In which case, there's also liveblogging available:

Courage Campaign here: Prop 8 Trial Tracker

And FDL here: Liveblogging Prop 8 Trial

And a couple of weekend reads:

Maureen Dowd: An Odd Couple Defends Couples That Some (Oddly) Find Odd

Margaret Hoover (FOX News!): Why I’m Joining the Fight for Marriage Equality

If you're a bloggernacle denizen, please check out Mormon Matters introduces the 2009 Niblets Awards!

And feel free to second any nominations for Main Street Plaza while you're there. Cheers!

Gentile of the Year 2009 Award: Freep this Poll for Fred Karger!

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:28:00 +0000

Gentile of the Year 2009 Award: The largest Mormon group blog on the planet has nominated Fred Karger (Californians Against Hate, Mormongate) to a spot in their annual poll to determine the non-Mormon with the biggest impact on Mormonism during the year that was.

Nominees include Helen Radkey (uncovered ongoing baptism by proxy of deceased Jews), Tom Hanks (called the Mormons out after the Prop 8 debacle), Mark Olsen and Will Scheffer (the boys behind "Big Love"), Keith Olbermann (included LDS Elder Dallin Oaks and Mormon menace Glenn Beck in the same “3 Worst People in the World” segment), and the list goes on ...

But clearly, Fred is the obvious first choice ...

Go Fred!

Mormongate: LDS Church responds to FPPC investigation
with last-minute reporting of Prop 8 donations

So, please go now and vote for Fred.

As of 8 AM EST on this Thursday, the 7th, here are the current poll results ...

Which "gentile" had the biggest impact on Mormonism in 2009?

Fred Karger 28%
Stephen Colbert 24%
Andrew Sullivan 10%
Mark Olsen and Will Scheffer 8%
Max Weinberg & Conan O'Brien show cast 8%
And a bunch more folks in the single digits.

Go Fred!

BONUS POLL: if you've still got a few moments to spare, here's another poll for freeping:

Mormon of the Year.

At this point, the votes are nearly all in and the outcome looks certain: Reed Cowan has been voted 2009's "Mormon of the Year" for his work directing 8: The Mormon Proposition.

Current results as of this posting are:

Reed Cowan: 51%
Harry Reid: 14%
Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.: 13%
Glenn Beck: 7%
Followed by a bevy of lesser-known LDS (Donny Osmond, Orrin Hatch, et.al.)

Be sure to check out the poll and commentary at the official Mormon of the Year website.

And if you're reading this before January 7th, please don't hesitate to click through and add your vote for Reed!

The chance to vote on the Mormons has finally arrived! Big, big tip o' the hat to Mormon blog T&S.

If you need a refresher course on why Reed deserves to win, here it is, the trailer to his upcoming documentary 8: The Mormon Proposition:

Vote Now for Mormon of the Year!

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:03:00 +0000

The votes are nearly all in and the outcome looks certain: Reed Cowan has been voted 2009's "Mormon of the Year" for his work directing 8: The Mormon Proposition.

Current results as of this posting are:

Reed Cowan: 51%
Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.: 17%
Harry Reid: 13%
Glenn Beck: 7%
Stephenie Meyer: 2%
Followed by a bevy of lesser-known LDS such as Donny Osmond, Orrin Hatch, Michael Otterson, Mike Leach, Elizabeth Smart, Jason Chaffetz, Elna Baker, Brandon Flowers and Heather Armstrong.

Be sure to check out the poll and commentary at the official Mormon of the Year website.

And if you're reading this before January 7th, please don't hesitate to click through and add your vote for Reed!

That the chance has finally come along to vote on the Mormons for a change is a welcome change. Big, big tip o' the hat to Mormon blog Times and Seasons.

UPDATE: And, don't forget to check out the Boggs-Doniphan Award 2009 over at By Common Consent.

Random notes for later:

Bio: Sharon Slater (Sharon's big in Uganda)
BBC: The battle over Uganda's Aids campaign
Uganda: HIV/AIDS stats 2008

LDS Church issues statement on Rex Rammell

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:16:00 +0000

Rexburg, Idaho's Standard Journal reports:

The LDS Church has issued a statement regarding the church's stance on Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell's "elders only" meetings.

Kim Farah, spokeswoman for the LDS church, issued this statement:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is politically neutral and does not endorse or promote any candidate, party or platform. Accordingly, we hope that the campaign practices of political candidates would not suggest that their candidacy is supported by or connected to the church.

"The so-called 'White Horse Prophecy' is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine."

Undaunted, Rex digs in:

LDS Church issues statement on Rex Rammell

Rex Rammell touts Mormon-only male-only campaign rallies

Rex Redux: OK, you're gonna have to edit that ...

Mormon candidate for Idaho governor: Uncut, Unedited, Unhinged

Good on the SLC LDS leadership for stepping up and calling Rex out on his shenanigans.

And now, just for fun, The Osmonds "Crazy Horses":

Thank you, America

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:41:00 +0000

And heartfelt thanks to all those readers across the country who sent in their photos, reminding me once again what this blog is all about:

And a very merry Christmas to you, too.

I love y'all right back. And, of course, Happy Holidays to you, too, Barack ;-) (h/t Rahm for remembering to snap that pic). What a year, eh?

Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell announces Mormon-only male-only campaign rallies

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:39:00 +0000

From Rexburg's Standard Journal:

Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell will be mixing what he calls doctrines from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into his gubernatorial campaign in a series of meetings slated for LDS elders only.

In January, Rammell will kick off a series of special meetings targeted specifically at "faithful priesthood-holders of the LDS Church" to discuss the so-called "White Horse" prophecy.

Borrowing a line more commonly used by the LDS leadership to explain Mormon temple ceremonies, the candidate described his rallies as sacred, not secret:

"There is nothing secret about the meeting -- it's just the sacred nature of the things we will be talking about," said Rammell. "We are going to talk about (LDS Church founder) Joseph Smith's prophecy that the Constitution will be hanging by a thread and that the Latter-day Saint elders will step forward and save it."

Mormon women are barred from holding the LDS priesthood, but the GOP hopeful provided a further explanation for their exclusion from the campaign meetings:

Rammell said that though LDS women were not invited because of lack of space, he hopes that the men will take the message home to their wives.

And what message might some critics take home from Rammell's announcement? As the Standard Journal notes: "In the past, Rammell has been criticized for using his faith to further his campaign."

Whether the aspiring Republican is guilty of that in this instance will be the subject of in-depth follow-up coverage by the Standard Journal, just as soon as its reporters have obtained the ecclesiastical clearance required to attend Rammell campaign events.

(image h/t Steven Pope)

In other Mormon news:

Utah native and Brigham Young University alumnus Matthew S. Petersen has been elected to serve as chairman of the Federal Election Commission in 2010.

David J. Harmer, Mormon congressional candidate: The Spirit prompted me to run, because I am strong like Captain Moroni.

(Gen. JC Christian, patriot, provides additional commentary: Captain Moroni for Congress)

And ... Meet Ben McAdams, Utah's newest state senator:

Ben McAdams, a senior adviser for Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker, will become Utah's newest state senator ...

McAdams, who is married and the father of three children, told the delegates he would work for fairness and equality.

"I plan to be a visible ally for gay and transgendered Utahns," he said. "We are agents of change."

More Mormons like Ben McAdams, please.

Update: Rex Rammell describes official LDS church disapproval of his tactics as "ridiculous":

An LDS church spokesman has released this statement:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is politically neutral and does not endorse or promote any candidate party or platform.

Accordingly, we hope that the campaign practices of political candidates would not suggest that their candidacy is supported by or connected to the church."

Rex:

"We are in America's second Revolutionary War to save our freedom, which we paid for with blood. We need God's help and I'm not ashamed to ask for it ... It is time we rise up and defend the Constitution. In order to motivate my fellow LDS Elders, I've invited many to attend meetings to discuss Joseph Smith's prophecies and how we can help save the Constitution.

Some people ... think it is inappropriate for me to hold such meetings. I think that is ridiculous."

Update II:

Rexburg, Idaho's Standard Journal reports:

The LDS Church has issued a statement regarding the church's stance on Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell's "elders only" meetings.

Kim Farah, spokeswoman for the LDS church, issued this statement:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is politically neutral and does not endorse or promote any candidate, party or platform. Accordingly, we hope that the campaign practices of political candidates would not suggest that their candidacy is supported by or connected to the church.

"The so-called 'White Horse Prophecy' is based on accounts that have not been substantiated by historical research and is not embraced as Church doctrine."

Undaunted, Rex digs in:

LDS Church issues statement on Rex Rammell

Rex Rammell touts Mormon-only male-only campaign rallies

Rex Redux: OK, you're gonna have to edit that ...

Mormon candidate for Idaho governor: Uncut, Unedited, Unhinged

Good on the SLC LDS leadership for stepping up and calling Rex out on his shenanigans.

And now, just for fun, The Osmonds "Crazy Horses":

Ben McAdams, Utah's newest state senator: "I plan to be a visible ally for gay and transgendered Utahns."

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:33:00 +0000

Deseret News: Becker adviser Ben McAdams chosen as new state senator

Ben McAdams, a senior adviser for Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker, will become Utah's newest state senator ...

McAdams, who is married and the father of three children, told the delegates he would work for fairness and equality.

"I plan to be a visible ally for gay and transgendered Utahns," he said. "We are agents of change."

See also:

Eric Ethington's Weblog: Hopefully A New Ally In the Utah Senate

The Salt Lake Tribune: Democrats tap McAdams for seat in Legislature

Ben McAdams special election nomination speech:

More Mormons like Ben McAdams, please.

8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION will premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Screening times:

Sunday, January 24, 2:15 p.m., Racquet Club, Park City

Monday, January 25, 5:30 p.m., Library Center Theatre, Park City

Wednesday, January 27, 6:00 p.m., Tower Theatre, SLC

Friday, January 29, noon, Temple Theatre, Park City

Saturday, January 30, 9:00 p.m., Screening Room, Sundance Resort

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EMAIL: Press@mormonproposition.com

8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION SET FOR WORLD PREMIERE AT THE 2010 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL IN PARK CITY, UTAH.

Miami, Florida – DAVID v. GOLIATH PRODUCTIONS announced this week that their new and highly anticipated documentary, 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION, a film by Reed Cowan & narrated by Oscar-winning writer of MILK, Dustin Lance Black, will debut its world premiere at the world renowned SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL in January 2010.

Reed Cowan saying today, “I’ve had a chance to talk to our film’s narrator, Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black about our SUNDANCE acceptance and he is thrilled. Our Executive Producer Bruce Bastian is thrilled and our other Producers, Steven Greenstreet, Emily Pearson and Chris Volz are also ... over the moon. Additionally, our production staff which includes Richard Samuels and Brian Bayerl of Greendoor Productions and Jess Elwood our animator are also thrilled.

Months ago, in an interview with THE ADVOCATE magazine, SUNDANCE’s John Cooper said: “I think we’re going to see a lot more hard-hitting political documentaries. Prop. 8 was sort of a wake-up call. I can see that fire in the belly to finish this thing off, to get to the next phase in American life.”

Everyone involved with 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION is honored to be a part of what Mr. Cooper was talking about. 8:TMP is indeed the hardest-hitting political documentary to be released in years. It is to Mormons and their anti-gay allies what Fahrenheit 9-11 was to the Bush Administration.

That’s why our team will have a ground presence in Park City and Salt Lake City the likes of which has never been seen before through our SLC manager Jacob Whipple. For that, we’ll be enlisting the help of thousands of people ... details to come.

This is an important film. Our team believes it strikes at the heart of one of our country’s highest held values — separation of church and state. And mostly, this film is important because it honors in a very respectful and dignified way, those who felt the sting of prop. 8 and other legislation like it. This is their story. And with the invitation from SUNDANCE, it will now be the world’s to experience.

MORE 8:TMP INFO AND NEWS AT: www.mormonproposition.com

Reactions/Mentions:

Back2Stonewall.com: Sundance Film Festival To Show “8: The Mormon Proposition”

AP: The documentary lineup features a daring entry for the festival that takes place in the heartland of the Mormon church.

New York Times: Sundance Gets Quirky

Salt Lake Tribune: Sundance: What's hot, what's next

Salt Lake Tribune: Prop. 8 fight returns to Utah

The Hollywood Reporter: Sundance reveals noncompetition lineup

ABC4: Controversial LDS/Gay documentary to be shown at Sundance

Rotten Tomatoes: Sundance Announces Out-of-Competition Films Screening At 2010 Festival

On Top Magazine: Mormon Gay Marriage Involvement Film Gets Sundance OK

USA Today: Where else to find our Utah news but Pam's House Blend? Cool.

CTnews: New Documentary Looks At Mormon Church And Prop 8 In CA

Salt Lake Crawler: Prop 8 film 'kind of scary'

The Hollywood Reporter takes top prize for including this illuminating exchange in their Sundance piece:

Of cheeky note is the inclusion of the Spotlight documentary "8: The Mormon Proposition," from director Reed Cowan. Sundance watchers will remember that last year's festival was threatened with a boycott as a result of the Mormon church's support for the passage of California's Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriage in the state.

The festival's "crime" was that it is held in Utah, Mormon ground zero, and one of its theater's CEOs contributed to the campaign for Prop 8. The proposed protest never sat well with Sundance organizers, who pointed to the festival's longtime support of gay-themed films.

Perhaps including "8" is payback?

"I don't know what you're talking about," [festival director] Cooper said with feigned guilelessness. Then he chuckled.

"I think showing '8' is going to have, especially on a local level, some controversy," said Cooper, who remembers hearing about the work in progress from Cowan at last year's fest. "It teaches you a lot, that movie. It's kind of scary. It spells it all out in ways that you can understand."

P.S. Check this out: 8 - The Mormon Proposition movie? Should it be allowed?

Allowed?!?

P.P.S. Bruce Bastian rocks.

Chris Buttars and Christine Johnson to Co-Sponsor Utah Gay Rights Bill?

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:34:00 +0000

Maybe. Maybe Not. Who knows? The senator posted this at his Utah Senate blog: Don't believe everything you hear (pls note Rep. Christine Johnson's comments under that post).

Senator, when both ABC4 and KSL get the story wrong, pls don't blame folks for believing what they're hearing from multiple sources.

From KSL:

Politics is once again making some very strange bedfellows. A senator once outspoken against homosexuality is teaming up with an openly gay lawmaker to ban discrimination.

West Jordan Republican Chris Buttars said earlier this fall he would consider sponsoring an anti-discrimination bill after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke out in support of two ordinances to that effect in Salt Lake City.

But now Buttars is in talks to co-sponsor legislation being introduced by Salt Lake Democrat Christine Johnson, an openly gay representative.

Equality Utah sees the news as something of a victory.

"LGBT people are people," says executive director Brandie Balken, "and they deserve the same basic protections and access under the law as the rest of the citizens of Utah deserve."

She says it's a wonderful development to get the backing of a prominent Republican, a positive step toward getting other gay rights legislation introduced if not approved.

"I think that we may get a lot more traction in the legislative session this year if we can actually get a Republican co-sponsor in the Senate, versus someone just running it in the House," she says.

Rep. Johnson's bill would roughly mirror the Salt Lake City anti-discrimination ordinances approved in November. They forbid eviction or firing of someone based on their sexual orientation, extending protections already afforded on the basis of other categories such as religion, gender, ability and color.

Just a week after those ordinances were approved by the Salt Lake City Council, Sen. Buttars said he would consider sponsoring legislation allowing other local governments to follow suit, but going on to say he wasn't interested in going beyond housing and employment rights, nor was he bending on his stance against gay marriage.

The bill that will be introduced by Rep. Johnson will mark the third time the democrat has tried to get such a bill passed, but the first time she's had the support, let alone the co-sponsorship, of any prominent republican.

Sen. Buttars came under fire earlier in 2009 for remarks on a taped interview suggesting that gays lack morals and pose a threat to security.

KSL neglected to mention that Buttars has also been mocked relentlessly for poor word choice later in 2009:

Oh yeah, and then there's this, from TYT:

Thanksgiving Video Wall: Jimmy Kimmel, Chris Buttars, Sutherland Institute, Gayle Ruzicka, new EQCA ad, No on 1 docYoumentary

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:26:00 +0000

Sutherland: LDS support for basic civil rights = "giving a mouse a cookie"

Gayle Ruzicka opposes Mormon backing of nondiscrimination ordinances

Jimmy Kimmel: Unintentional Joke of the Day

Chris Buttars Doesn't Want The Gays Stuffing It Down His Throat All The Time

Sutherland Institute: Nondiscrimination in housing and employment = gay marriage

Paul Mero's Worst Nightmare: Frances, Cynthia & Mary Kate

NO ON ONE - The Campaign to Protect Marriage Equality in Maine - Part One

NO ON ONE - The Campaign to Protect Marriage Equality in Maine - Part Two

Happy Thanksgiving!

Paul Mero and the Sutherland Institute: Ultra-Conservative Utah Think Tank in Open Revolt against Mormon leadership

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:42:00 +0000

LDS Apostle Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Salt Lake City gay-rights measures could work statewide.

Audio: Jeff Reynolds from the Sutherland Institute and the chuckleheads at KVNU compare the LDS position on the Salt Lake City nondiscrimination ordinances to "giving a mouse a cookie" (jump in around the 6:40 mark to hear the comparison):

Excerpt from the Sutherland Institute statement:

"As a public relations opportunity, the LDS Church’s statement before the Salt Lake City Council may assuage the minds and soften the hearts of advocates of 'gay rights' in Utah. As a policy statement, it is problematic. The approved ordinances before the Salt Lake City Council are unsound in principle, clarity, and effect.

We, once again, call on the Utah State Legislature to overturn these local ordinances on the basis of sound public policy."

Check out this tweet from Joel Campbell, BYU Journalism prof., Mormon Media Observer columnist for Mormon Times:

joelcampbell Sutherland Institute begins its slippery slope campaign against "parochial" SL discrimination ordinances. Unfortunate http://bit.ly/1tYZS4

Sutherland's president, Paul Mero: The Gloves Must Come Off:

"Sexual orientation is an illusion. Your idea of rights is an illusion. Your equality is illusory."

Excerpt from Paul Mero's opening remarks at the Common Ground debate with Equality Utah:

"The gloves must come off. The fact remains that we don't just disagree with you over the Common Ground Initiative, we disagree with you over nearly every motivating assumption that underlies the initiative.

We're dealing here with two separate realities: one truth, one illusion. The intellectual, legal and moral chasm between the two sides is so great that true common ground is nearly impossible to achieve. And so, for my part anyway, I'm here to argue that the Equality Utah version of reality is an illusion.

The CGI bills constantly refer to sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is an illusion. It only exists in the minds of activists, and their academics, who need to explain away why people do what they do even when they don't want to do it.

There are no replicable scientific or medical studies about that issue of sexual orientation that exist. Never mind that the only way it can be identified is through sexual behavior. There's no reasonable argument to be made that subjective feelings or attractions toward another human being means anything deeper than what it actually is.

The truth is that we are born male and female with moral agency. Because it's behavior, our sexuality is always a choice, and any other sexual construct is an illusion.

Your idea of rights is an illusion. With the backing of every miserable misanthropic philosopher of the post-Enlightenment era, your initiative feeds on the unreasonable notion that you have these magically organic rights to do whatever you desire.

These rights are usually couched in terms of equality, but because you constantly confuse what you do for who you are, your equality is illusory. You think your equality is about who you are, when it's really only about what you do. In terms of human behavior, there's no equality as you try to imagine."

Check out the first comment left in response to Sutherland’s statement on this thread:

"I am not sure what the Sutherland group thinks they are doing, but the Brethren have spoken. No more needs to be said."

Folks like Sutherland’s Paul Mero have built careers in Utah peddling the notion that “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are figments of disordered minds. With the LDS church now suddenly supporting ordinances that include this supposedly “make-believe” terminology, is the Sutherland Institute finally being hung out to dry?

Popcorn time.

Here's local Utah TV coverage of the controversy:

Bonus links w/ background/news/analysis re this interesting development:

Meronite Mormon Paul Mero Splits From The LDS Church

Strange bedfolk

G-A-Y: The SLC Ordinances = LDS church's multiple strifes

Andrew Sullivan: The Mormon Move

Recent study indicates: Utah ranks last in attitude to pro-gay policies

And let's close this post the way it began ...

... with another children's story -

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar," as retold by Stephen Colbert:

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

The Word - Skeletons in the Closet

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

U.S. Speedskating

Mormon leadership comes out in support of (some) basic rights for (some) LGBT Utahns.

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:26:00 +0000

Audio:

LDS Public Affairs Talks Nondiscrimination

Salt Lake Tribune: LDS apostle (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland): Salt Lake City gay-rights measures could work for Utah state

Video from the public hearing, featuring Michael Otterson, Eric Ethington (local blogger/activist and genuinely nice guy), Deeda Seed, and Jonas from the all-Brazilian America Forever bigot brigade:

And a second local Utah TV news report on this welcome development in the struggle for LGBT equality:

WATB Stan Rasmussen of Utah's Sutherland Institute responds:

B-b-b-b-ut allowing SLC's so-called 'homosexuals' to work and find housing = marriage :-(

(Note to Will Carlson: The next time Paul Mero and the Sutherland Institute want to debate Equality Utah, my suggestion to EU would be to ignore these yahoos.)

Read Sutherland's Press Release here. Excerpt:

As a public relations opportunity, the LDS Church’s statement before the Salt Lake City Council may assuage the minds and soften the hearts of advocates of “gay rights” in Utah. As a policy statement, it is problematic. The approved ordinances before the Salt Lake City Council are unsound in principle, clarity, and effect.

We, once again, call on the Utah State Legislature to overturn these local ordinances on the basis of sound public policy.

Moving on ...

Transcript of remarks by the managing director of LDS Public Affairs, who spoke at the hearing in support of Salt Lake City's proposed non-discrimination ordinance:

"Good evening.

"My name is Michael Otterson, and I am here tonight officially representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The non-discrimination ordinance being reviewed by the City Council concerns important questions for the thoughtful people of this community.

"Like most of America, our community in Salt Lake City is comprised of citizens of different faiths and values, different races and cultures, different political views and divergent demographics. Across America and around the world, diverse communities such as ours are wrestling with complex social and moral questions. People often feel strongly about such issues. Sometimes they feel so strongly that the ways in which they relate to one another seem to strain the fabric of our society, especially where the interests of one group seem to collide with the interests of another.

"The issue before you tonight is the right of people to have a roof over their heads and the right to work without being discriminated against. But, importantly, the ordinance also attempts to balance vital issues of religious freedom. In essence, the Church agrees with the approach which Mayor Becker is taking on this matter.

"In drafting this ordinance, the city has granted common-sense rights that should be available to everyone, while safeguarding the crucial rights of religious organizations, for example, in their hiring of people whose lives are in harmony with their tenets, or when providing housing for their university students and others that preserve religious requirements.

"The Church supports this ordinance because it is fair and reasonable and does not do violence to the institution of marriage. It is also entirely consistent with the Church's prior position on these matters. The Church remains unequivocally committed to defending the bedrock foundation of marriage between a man and a woman.

"I represent a church that believes in human dignity, in treating others with respect even when we disagree – in fact, especially when we disagree. The Church's past statements are on the public record for all to see. In these comments and in our actions, we try to follow what Jesus Christ taught. Our language will always be respectful and acknowledge those who differ, but will also be clear on matters that we feel are of great consequence to our society.

"Thank you."

Linkage:

AP: Mormon church backs anti-discrimination proposals

Salt Lake Tribune: Pro-gay statutes win city, LDS nod

On Top Magazine: Mormon Church Makes An About Face On Gay Rights

Voice Of Deseret: LDS Church Expresses Official Support For Salt Lake City's Proposed Gay Nondiscrimination Ordinances ... Paul Mero's head explodes.

A Soft Answer: Mormon Church Issues Statement in Support of Gay-rights Ordinances

Moms for Equality: Big News Coming from the Mormons!

Press Releases:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AFFIRMATION: GAY AND LESBIAN MORMONS
CONTACT MEDIA AFFAIRS DIRECTOR MICAH BISSON
MICAH@AFFIRMATION.ORG OR 720-339-6218
WWW.AFFIRMATION.ORG

Gay Mormons Applaud LDS Church Action

Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons applauds the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for endorsing the employment and housing non-discrimination act now before the Salt Lake City (Utah) Council.

Discrimination based on a person’s identity, including race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, has always been wrong. It is commendable that the LDS Church is taking a step toward living up to its own teachings of valuing of all humanity. It is a vital first step.

“We pray that the words spoken tonight are to be followed up with positive action,” said Affirmation Assistant Executive Director Micah Bisson. “It is time to eliminate the heavy-handed church actions to defeat marriage equality and protections for transgender people. When LDS officials arrest gay people for public affection on Temple Square, we need to realize that all Mormons, and the LDS church itself, look small-minded to people who are outside the tradition.”

“The LDS Church, as is the case with any faith organization, has the absolute right to choose whatever standards it wishes for membership, and to choose what marriage ordinances it wishes to perform or to recognize,” stated Assistant Executive Director George Cole. ”It does not have the right to impose its unique standards upon those of other faiths.”

“Too many millions of dollars have been spent; the Church has been the punch-line of too many jokes,” added Executive Director David Melson. “This is an opportunity for the Church to take a position of leadership, to declare an end to the hostilities that have divided our country and our families, to welcome all of God’s children into the Church of Jesus Christ.”

We are grateful for this first step, we await the second.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION
CONTACT: STEVEN GREENSTREET (801) 580-3103
PRESS@MORMONPROPOSITION.COM

MORMON CHURCH LEADERS BEND UNDER SCRUTINY BROUGHT ON BY 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION.

IS THIS ANOTHER MORMON P.R. STUNT?

On November 10, 2009 several highly placed people featured in the upcoming documentary film 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION were contacted by well-placed people inside the Mormon Church in anticipation of an "historic statement against discrimination" to be made by the Mormon Church.

They were told, "Watch what we are about to do. You will be pleased."

At this hour gays and lesbians all over the world hope that the Mormon Church's announcement will not be yet another Mormon public relations smoke screen and result in action that will result in full marriage equality for the LGBT community world-wide.

Since the release of the trailer for 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION, intense scrutiny has been focused on Mormon involvement in the passage of Proposition 8 and allegations that the Mormon Church set up the infamous NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE which was the key player in Maine's recent ban on gay marriage.

Sources close to those who called our cast and production team alerting us to the upcoming Mormon statement on discrimination say that Mormon Mitt Romney has recently put pressure on his own church to extend an olive branch to the gay community to try and deflate the anticipated negative press that will come from the release of 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION that would likely damage his hope for a successful 2012 presidential bid.

Ironically (and we suspect in step with the Mormon's anticipated statement on discrimination) Mormon-owned KSL TV released an article on their web site saying "Romney appears to be front-runner in 2012 election."

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8613293

While the 8:TMP team hopes Mormons end their game of discrimination against the LGBT community and wishes to work with people of all faith traditions to end discrimination, we would like to assert the following:

FACT: Under similar international scrutiny, Mormon leaders have in the past made similar statements regarding being against discrimination directed towards minorities & the LGBT COMMUNITY.

FACT: Gay leaders in SLC begged Mormon leaders to back up their statements on ending discrimination against the LGBT commmunity, through Mormon support for their COMMON GROUND INITIATIVE.

FACT: Despite lip service, Mormons did not get behind the COMMON GROUND INITIATIVE and in fact worked to see the initiative's defeat.

FACT: Despite lip service to people of color, the holiest book of Mormon scripture THE BOOK OF MORMON still refers to people of color as being "CURSED WITH A DARK SKIN, FILTHY AND LOATHSOME."

FACT: Despite lip service to people of color, printings of MORMON DOCTRINE by beloved Mormon Apostle Bruce R. Mcconkie, assert African Americans are "marked" for not being fully behind the plan of Jesus Christ in a pre-earth life war in Heaven.

FACT: A Mormon spokesperson told 8:TMP's director "this is all about public relations and making the church look good."

In conclusion, as Mormon heavy-hitters prepare for the so-called "historic announcement" our team would encourage Mormons to put their money and their membership by doing the following:

1. Severing all Mormon ties to the NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE, which works to rob the LGBT COMMUNITY of their civil rights.

2. Directing an amount of money equal to Mormon money spent in California's Prop. 8 campaign to LGBT marriage equality.

3. Removing from all Mormon canonized scripture any reference to people of color as being "cursed or marked with a dark skin" or being "filthy and loathsome."

4. Ask Mormon Apostle Dallin H. Oaks to retract his recent teachings on LGBT "alleged civil rights" and affirm that LGBT rights are not "alleged" but deserved and long overdue.

Our production team and cast await the day when Mormons will work with the LGBT community not only with their words, but their money and their members to achieve FULL MARRIAGE EQUALITY. This is the only way to truly advocate for the end of discrimination against ALL PEOPLE.

Anything else is lip-service.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE FOUNDATION FOR RECONCILIATION
CONTACT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS PETER DANZIG
PETERDANZIG@HOTMAIL.COM OR 801-865-9029
WWW.LDSAPOLOGY.ORG

LDS Church Endorses protections for LGBT individuals in Housing and Employment

The Foundation for Reconciliation / LDSapology.org is thrilled that the LDS Church was able to find common ground with the LGBT community by officially endorsing a Salt Lake City non-discrimination ordinance today that includes basic protections in housing and employment for LGBT individuals. Peter Danzig, the Foundation’s communications director stated “this grew out of conversations the LDS Church recently began with leaders in the LGBT community. This demonstrates the power that just beginning to talk with each other can have. We have a lot of common ground.”

“We hope this is just the first of many more such opportunities” stated the Foundation’s director, Cheryl Nunn. “Just 6 days prior to their announcement today we met with a Church representative following our handcart trek and presented him with our Plea for Reconciliation Petition. This is precisely the type of action we were advocating for."

Janeen Thompson, a member of the Foundation’s executive committee said, “This is precisely the type of dialogue and action I was hoping for from my Church. I feel like this is a big step in the right direction.”

“The Foundation has written to Church officials requesting just such a private dialogue to discuss their concerns,” stated Nunn. “This gives me hope that such conversations can and do happen.”

The Foundation for Reconciliation is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for reconciliation between the LDS and LGBT community. More information is available at www.LDSapology.org

###

Toons:

If you're having a hard time reading the above 'toon, click on the graphic for larger version.

That second 'toon cracks me up every time. "Better than Ted." Guffaw. That Mitt, what a comedian.

Mormon Pollster Gary Lawrence: We Want Negative Buzz

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:37:00 +0000

Preface: Before we get to the video, I'd like to leave a comment about our apparent loss in Maine. As the returns came in, some of the folks from the opposing side began leaving messages for me, like this one:

You guys ran a magnificent campaign, you completely out-organized and out-raised us.

Didn't matter in the slightest.

32-0.

And here's my response to that jab and to the Maine result generally:

With every vicious campaign that you guys run, you do more to advance our cause than we could ever manage on our own. Thank you for that, and I mean that sincerely.

Without folks like you and NOM, we never would've had the opportunity to run our ads showing the real families that are impacted by your campaigns. Fear is a powerful motivator, but in your case, you're relying mostly on fear of the unknown to motivate your voters. At the end of the day, voters in Maine, even the ones who voted against us this time, were afforded the opportunity to contrast the real people they saw on our side with the fictitious monsters described in your ads. Sure, still too many voted their fears, but you've now played a part in helping to dispel some of that fear. So, thank you again for your efforts.

With that, it's on to the Gary Lawrence Show:

The LDS pollster hired by two anti-gay campaigns (Yes on 8 in California and Yes on 1 in Maine) reveals his thoughts on how the Mormon church benefits from generating "negative buzz" ...

Mormon Strategy #4: We Welcome Buzz

People think, "Well, we don't like contention."

Of course we don't like contention. But buzz is when people start talking about us.

"Even negative buzz?" And I say, especially negative buzz ...

The question came up, "What if we have protestors?"

And I said, "Wonderful..."

Because if you don't have protestors at the temple, go down to the local Rent-a-Mob and hire some. We need local buzz. We need negative buzz.

Previous episodes of Gary on the Net:

Son of Prominent Yes on 8 Leader Quits Mormon Church Over Prop 8
Gary Lawrence: Familiarity breeds contempt (for Mormons)
Prop 8 Q&A with Mormon Pollster Gary Lawrence
Prominent Mormons Paid Handsomely for Winning Prop 8

Moving on to Brian Brown at a DC hearing. Wow. David Catania has done his homework about NOM. And all Brian can do is play the victim:

Oh, look at this, yet more "negative buzz" (of the LOL variety):

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Nailed 'Em - Mormon Church Trespassing

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

U.S. Speedskating

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Can't Get Queer From Here

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

Transitory Psychosis: The debate that Yes on 1 doesn't want you to see!

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:01:00 +0000

If you're in the mood to spare 45 minutes to follow a recent debate about marriage equality, here you go.

Somehow, the director of the MCLU got paired with an eccentric curmudgeon in a debate about Question One. If you've not got the time to watch the entire sequence, I'd suggest clips #3 and #7. This John Frary character is a hoot. Did the Yes on 1 campaign approve John's participation in this debate? And is the Yes on 1 campaign now willing to concede the wisdom of conducting pre-debate field sobriety tests?

Warning: Things get really weird after the second clip.

Nothing much to see in this intro:

Shenna's opening remarks:

Welcome to Professor Frary's world:

Shenna takes John's bluster in stride:

Paul Mills does his darndest to keep John on topic:

Shenna talks theological underpinnings of equality:

No whimpering for John, he goes out with a bang:

John Frary's closing argument:

Further discussion is not necessary. Events resolve the issue one way or the other.

Oh my.

Fresh Vids: Moritz/Jones family, WGME debate, Gov. Baldacci, UMaine GOTV

brother.chino@gmail.com (Chino Blanco) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:52:00 +0000

Maine has a clear choice

Question One: At home with two Maine families

Meet the Moritz/Jones Family of Portland Maine (Part 1)

Meet the Moritz/Jones Family of Portland Maine (Part 2)

WGME Maine hosts Question One Debate (Part 1)

WGME Maine hosts Question One Debate (Part 2)

WGME Maine hosts Question One Debate (Part 3)

Maine Governor Baldacci Comments on Yes On One Scare Tactics

Maine College Students GOTV for No on Question One

From what I've seen, Mainers are an impressive bunch!