August 16th
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| F. E. Daniel |
1893-Dr F. E.
Daniel, editor of the Texas Medical Journal, presented a paper which advocated
the castration of male and female sexual perverts, including homosexuals, to
prevent them from reproducing and passing on these traits. He also recommended
that those convicted of such offenses be stripped of all rights.Daniels advocated eugenics or human engineering
1893 Utah Journal
Charged with a Horrible Crime page 8 Clarence Fielding, a colored waiter,
on the diner Golden Gate, was arrested yesterday afternoon by Officer Felker
charged with one of the most heinous crimes in the legal category, that of a “Crime
Against Nature”. His hearing will take place this morning in the police court.
It seems from the complaints made, that Fielding had made it a practice since
the bathing season commenced to visit the several bathing holes on the Weber,
west of the railroad yards, where the small boys delight to sport in the waters
of the river and entice the lads to submit themselves to his horrible passions’
standard. He was convicted of lewd and lascivious behavior but no evidence of sodomy which would have sent him to prison.
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| George Albert Smith Missionary |
1930 - Heber J.
Grant remarks that LDS Apostle George Albert Smith "is getting very nervous.
We don't want him to have another breakdown such as he had years ago, almost
costing him his life." Apostle Smith doesn't begin describing his symptoms
until January 1932, and year later writes,"My Nerves are nearly gone but
am holding on the best I know how." Symptoms gradually subside and do not
resume until he is LDS church president in 1945 and continued to his death in 1951. George Albert Smith had a lifelong struggle with what appears to be some sort of
chronic depression and anxiety disorder and mental illness. He was the last church president to have a benign attitude towards the church's homosexuals.
1969-New York
City's Gay Liberation Front sponsored the first "Coming Out" dance at
Alternate U. to give Gays and lesbians the opportunity to support their own
organizations rather than the mafia-owned bars.
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| Utah State Mental Hospital |
1985 The number of sexual abuse cases among Provo School District
students more than doubled from last year and school officials say one reason
could be that earlier victims are now attackers. 125 children were referred to
district social workers for sexual abuses and incest. Of those 108 were
elementary school age, 9 were in Junior High School, and 8 in High School. Most
of the victims had been molested by family members. One juvenile had abused 31
children from one elementary school for over 4 years. The attacks included
forcible sodomy and intercourse. The youngster has since been committed to the
Utah State [Mental] Hospital said Provo Police Chief. (08/16/1985 SLTribune
B18)
1985 Robert Mahan
age 34 died of AIDS in Utah . He was a divorced elementary school
teacher. He was born 21 Feb 1951 in Alameda County, California and died in Salt Lake City
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| Gary Broadbank |
1987- Prince and
Princess Royale Gary and Betty John of the Royal Court raised $1000 for the
People's Concern and People With AIDS funds from the annual Carnival Fiesta
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| Russ Lane |
1987- Wasatch
Affirmation had as its topic, "How to talk to Church Leaders" taught
by Russ Lane.
1988 -At
Unconditional Support, the topic of metaphysics and the New Age was taught by
John Merrill aka Dixie who discussed channeling, reincarnation, astral projection,
crystals and the like. Eric Vaughn and Alan Peterson elected new assistant
directors of Unconditional Support after Ken (Sugartush) Francis stepped down
to move to San Francisco.
1989 Wednesday, CANDIDATE FOR S.L. CITY COUNCIL ASSAILS
`SMEAR TACTIC' LETTER SAYS REPUBLICAN ATTACK IS OUT OF PLACE IN A NON-PARTISAN
RACE By Robert Rice, Staff Writer A
letter circulated by the Salt Lake County Republican Party questioning a Salt
Lake City Council candidate's "moral integrity" is a smear tactic and
out of place in a non-partisan municipal election, the candidate said Tuesday.
The Aug. 4 letter, on party stationery, signed by County Republican Chairman Peter
Van Alstyne and sent to Republican voting district officers, urges District 5
voters to defeat incumbent Councilman Tom Godfrey. "Tom Godfrey does not
represent the Republican values and philosophies of high moral integrity,"
the letter reads. The letter also said Godfrey has ignored the Republican point
of view, noted his "liberal" voting record and concluded, "We
must elect a person of high moral integrity to the City Council." The
Deseret News obtained the letter from a source requesting confidentiality under
the condition it be made clear Godfrey himself did not release the letter.
"If one of my high school students had written that, they would have
received a failing grade," said Godfrey, a teacher. "It's filled with
generalizations and no supporting details . . . because there aren't any
supporting details." Godfrey said he has returned a personal letter to Van
Alstyne airing his reaction to the letter. Asked for examples of Godfrey not
adhering to high moral standards, Van Alstyne said the councilman had advocated
positions "supportive of issues such as homosexual rights. "Very
recently, he was a keynote speaker at a homosexual-rights rally. As such, we
take the position that those are not values compatible with family and
community life," Van Alstyne said.
Godfrey said he was not the keynote speaker at the rally, held in a
local park on Gay Pride Day. Rather he was invited to give the welcoming speech
at the rally on behalf of the city. "What seems to be implied here is that
there is a certain denial of one's civil rights - I can welcome some people and
not the other people," Godfrey said. "I think Mr. Van Alstyne must
remember that as a member of the City Council, I take an oath to uphold the
Constitution and the Constitution guarantees people's civil rights," he
added. Further, the letter charges Godfrey with supporting "programs and
ordinances that are anti-family." Van Alstyne said Godfrey's support of
the Salt Lake Community and Resource Shelter, a homeless shelter, is anti-family.
"I hope that Peter's not suggesting that the City Council only represent
the well-to-do families and not those in low- and moderate-income
situations," Godfrey responded. Van Alstyne said he was prompted to write
the letter when he learned from "reliable sources" that Godfrey was
receiving support from the Democratic Party. "I have no more hard evidence
that the Democratic Party is assisting Mr. Godfrey; it is circumstantial,"
he said, explaining that an accumulation of comments led him to conclude the
party is involved. Van Alstyne said Democratic Party leaders have solicited
contributions from other Democrats on behalf of Godfrey's campaign. Salt Lake
County Democratic Party Chairman Earl Hardwick, once a City Council member,
said Godfrey never contacted the party for support. Glen Cahoon, a former Salt
Lake police captain running against Godfrey, denied any cooperation in
circulating the letter. "That isn't my kind of campaign," he said.
Godfrey called the Republican's letter a "smear letter, a piece of
political propaganda" and added such strategy shouldn't be employed by a
political party in a non-partisan race. "I've always argued strongly . . .
that the council needs to be non-partisan," he said. City Council races
previously have been non-partisan, Van Alstyne said. "But we have found on
an increasing basis that although the public may consider them non-partisan,
the parties consider them as significant political races," Van Alstyne
said. According to the "Corrupt Practices Act" in the Utah Code
governing elections, "No person shall knowingly make or publish, or cause
to be made or published, any false statement in relation to any
candidate." © 1999 Deseret News Publishing Co.
1989 A full moon Sacred Fairy gathering was held in City Creek
Canyon and Memory Grove in SLC where the Fairy Manifesto was read. The Gay
Spirit was invoked to help bring down Patriarchy and to bring harmony back to
the world. Sky Bear burned his ties as symbols of Patriarchal oppression. In
attendance was Puck, Sky Bear, Ariel, and Gayflower.
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| David Sharpton |
1989 David Sharpton and members of the People With AIDS Coalition
of Utah held a press conference to discuss the AZT federal program, scheduled
to expire Sept. 30. AZT slows down the Human immunodeficiency Virus, which
causes the syndrome, but the medication costs $700-800 a month per patient. The
coalition was not worried the program will end, since the State Legislature
appropriated $125,000 to provide the AZT if Congress lets it lapse. However,
the coalition feared administration costs will divert money from the purchase
of AZT if the state takes over the program. "We feel very strongly that
every penny should and must be spent on people with AIDS," he said.
"Medication is the only tool we have in the fight against AIDS." Some
212 Utahns have been identified as having AIDS, but between 2,000-4,000 may
have HIV, according to Lewis Garrett, manager of the AIDS Control Section of
the Utah Health Department.
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1989-Actress
Amanda Blake, best known as Miss Kitty on the television show Gunsmoke, died of
complications from AIDS.
1991 The Utah
State Board of Education says the following may NOT be taught in the schools:
Intricacies of intercourse, sexual stimulation or erotic behavior. Acceptance of, or advocacy of, homosexuality
as a desirable or acceptable sexual adjustment or lifestyle. Advocacy or encouragement
of contraceptive methods or devices by unmarried minors. Acceptance of, or
advocacy of, "free sex," promiscuity or the so-called "new
morality." The nine objectives of human sexuality contained in the draft
of a teacher's resource guide that is being considered for use in Utah high
schools: Discussion of dating, family, marriage, love and infatuation.
Explanation of anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive
systems. Discussion of maturation and the stages of sexual development.
Discussion of responsible sexual behavior, stressing the benefits of strong
families, abstinence and fidelity. Development of skills that promote
responsible decision making. Recognition of the impact of sexual behavior on
one's life goals. Discussion of pregnancy and birth. Recognition of the impact
of teen pregnancy and quality of life. Discussion of the legal, social and
emotional implications of pornography, prostitution, sexual abuse, incest and
rape.
1994 The Salt
Lake Tribune Victim's Family, Gays Say Killer Got Off Too Easy Killer's
Sentence Too Light, Says Family of Gay Victim By Stephen Hunt David Nelson
Thacker cut his potential prison time from life to 15 years by pleading guilty
to manslaughter for killing a man in a Park City parking lot. On Monday, the
Nevada cowboy got another break when 3rd District Judge David S. Young
sentenced him to no more than 6 years at Utah State Prison. Stunned family
members of the victim believe the lenient sentence was handed down because the
victim, 31-year-old Douglas C. Koehler, was gay. ``It's a mockery,'' said
Koehler's sister, Susan
Nelson. ``It's like his life wasn't worth anything.
When you murder someone, you should spend your life paying for that murder.''
The ruling provoked a rally on the steps of the Capitol, where more than 100
outraged protesters gathered Monday night and called for Young's removal from
the bench. ``With clowns on the bench, you get murderers in the streets,'' said
Val Mansfield, an activist for gay and lesbian causes. ``Judge Young is an
embarrassment to the state of Utah. Hate-motivated crimes deserve stiffer
sentences not more lenient ones.'' Speakers called upon citizens to flood the
Utah Judicial Conduct Commission with complaints about Young's rulings. And if
that doesn't oust Young, who was appointed to the District Court bench by
then-Gov. Norm Bangerter in 1987, he can always be voted out, said David Nelson
of the Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats. ``We'll get even on Election Day in
November 1996,'' Nelson said, ``because
that's when Judge Young won't be a judge anymore.'' Michael Aaron, chairman of Gay and
Lesbian
Utah Democrats, said Young is biased against gays. ``Any reasonable Utahn would
look at the case and see it as gay bashing,'' said Aaron in an interview.
``Thacker hunts down and executes someone and is guilty of no more than a
third-degree felony? That's the same as shoplifting $250 of merchandise.'' Koehler was murdered Aug. 21, 1993, following
a night of drinking and snorting cocaine at a Park City bar with Thacker, 27,
and his roommate, Clint Crane. The two men invited Koehler to their apartment.
Thacker took Koehler to his bedroom for a time but when they later emerged, he
kicked Koehler out of the house and told his roommate the victim had tried to
kiss him. Thacker grabbed a .22-caliber revolver and he and Crane caught up to
Koehler as the victim was walking the four miles to his Park West condominium.
Crane testified he thought they would scare or beat up Koehler. But Thacker
shot Koehler between the eyes. The victim's body was found within 50 feet of his
condo, his hands still shoved in his pockets. Crane, 21, pleaded guilty to
attempted obstruction of justice and will be sentenced Aug. 21. He faces up to
5 years in prison. Defense attorney Ron Yengich said Thacker was intoxicated
and the gun went off accidentally. But Summit County Attorney Robert Adkins
said Thacker's drug and alcohol intoxication was taken into account when
prosecutors agreed to reduce the charge from murder to manslaughter. Adkins
said it was ``highly probable'' the victim and Thacker had consensual sex,
despite Thacker's contention Koehler had made an unwanted sexual advance. Tests
show Thacker is more aroused by consenting males than consenting females,
Adkins added. But the judge suggested the murder was a one-time tragedy. The victim
would be alive if he had not ``supplied the drugs and alcohol'' the night of
his death, said Young. And Thacker may not have killed had he not lived by the
rule, ``Don't get mad, get even.'' Young
said that based on his experience as a Utah Board of Pardons member, the
recidivism rate for murder is lower than any other category of crime. (08/16/94
Page: C1 SLTribune)
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| David Nelson |
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| Michael Aaron |
- · Deseret News Utah's gay community protests killer's sentence Members of Utah's gay community rallied Monday night to protest a judge's decision to give a reduced sentence to a Nevadan who shot and killed a homosexual man. More than 100 people attended a rally at the Utah Capitol, and many called for 3rd District Judge David Young's removal from the bench. "What Judge Young has said is that it's OK to kill faggots. This is beyond insult," said David Nelson, founder of the Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats. Young ordered David Thacker to serve a zero-to-five-year sentence with a one-year enhancement for shooting Douglas Koehler in the head nearly a year ago. Thacker was originally charged with murder but pleaded to a reduced charge of manslaughter. The maximum penalty for the reduced charge is one to 15 years in prison, but Young felt that was "too high a penalty" and sentenced Thacker as if the charge were reduced one more degree. Upset members of the dead man's family said they believe the lighter sentence was imposed because Koehler was gay. “It hurts to think our brother's life was taken by this man and it's being justified because he was drunk and on drugs and because he (Thacker) was embarrassed because a pass was made at him," said Christine Williams. Young has also come under fire recently by the National Organization for Women for decisions involving ethnic minorities and women. NOW has begun a detailed research of his decisions in cases involving women's issues and plans to put a feminist in the judge's courtroom to listen for misogynist remarks, said NOW-Utah spokeswoman Luci Malin.
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| John Robert Holbrook |
1996 Page:
B1 The Aug. 20, 1996, edition of The Advocate, a national gay and lesbian
magazine, contains on Page 103 an ad for Utah local John Robert Holbrook Co.'s ``Essence
of Men'' cologne. The ad features a photo of a nude man (in a discreet pose)
and gives two 800 numbers for marketers of the product. One number is for
International Male Boutique. The other is for ZCMI.
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| President Bill Clinton |
1996-At a
volunteer campaign training conference in Chicago sponsored by the Human Rights
Campaign, President Clinton said through a videotaped address, "I'm
especially proud to be the first president to endorse a civil rights bill that
specifically includes gay and lesbian Americans. I support the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act because I believe in the fundamental values of fairness
and equality."
1998 The Utah
Stonewall Classic was held at Sunnyside Park in Salt Lake City. This softball
tournament is a fundraiser for the Utah Gay and Lesbian Community Center.
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| Bob Henline |
2009 Tolerant Rollercoasters Gay day at Lagoon notably free of
bigotry By Bob Henline Salt Lake City weekly – 21 August- This past Sunday,
Aug. 16, I had the pleasure of attending Q Salt Lake’s Gay Lagoon Day event. I
will admit that I was somewhat concerned before hand, being skeptical of the
Utah public’s response to a gathering of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender community in a “family” environment such as Lagoon. Throughout the
day, we walked through the park, enjoying the atmosphere, the games, the rides,
and all of the fun normally associated with Lagoon. We walked behind large
groups of people from the LGBT community, mostly wearing red to affiliate
themselves, trying to observe the reactions of people in the park to their
presence. My hat goes off to Utah. Not once did we hear any negative or
derogatory comments toward gays in the park. No sideways glances, offhand gestures
or anything in any way inappropriate or demeaning. At one point, as the entire
crowd had gathered near the park entrance for a group photo, one passer-by
raised both hands in a victory gesture and shouted his support. The question
this begs, though, is why are Utah’s elected leaders so far behind the will of
the people? It was obvious from my observations and from several comments
overhead by others and reported to me that the masses of Utah do not hold the
level of animosity for the LGBT community that is evidenced by the repeated
comments and actions of our elected bigots. Granted, this was not anything
resembling a scientific poll, but based upon my observations, it was a pretty
decent sampling of Utah’s population roaming Lagoon. Ironically enough, the
“Gay” pavilion was located in a somewhat secluded area, relative to the other
pavilions, but was connected by a small shared courtyard to one other pavilion.
On Sunday, that other pavilion was occupied by the Trinity Lutheran Church
group. One could almost expect that such groups would mix about as well as oil
and water, but again, there was not a hint of a problem from any part of the
general crowd. Would this have been the case 10 years ago, or even five? We
have differences in our society, differences of race, religion, belief systems,
ethics, gender, gender identity and preference, culture, creed and all sorts of
other things. There is absolutely no reason that society cannot embrace these
differences and be the better for it. While there is still much work to be done
to help bring Utah’s laws in line with the finest traditions of liberty and
equality for all, if the acceptance and even support that I witnessed on Sunday
is any indication, that day is coming. If only our leaders were as in touch with
the masses as they are with the fundamentalists at the Eagle Forum and
Sutherland Institute.
2010 Q SaltLake Activist Calls for UAF Director
Penfold’s Ouster by Michael Aaron At a rally
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| Stan Penfold |
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| Turner Bitton |
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| Richard Matthews |
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| The Jam |
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| Fernando Noriega |
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| Ty Mansfield |
2013 Openly gay Mormon taught religion classes
this summer at BYU By Ray Parker | The Salt Lake Tribune Ty
Mansfield, a gay Mormon who co-wrote a book about same-sex attraction and has since
married a woman, taught a religion course this summer at Brigham Young
University. He may have been the first openly gay instructor hired to teach at
the private university owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, but school officials said Friday they could not verify that. Mansfield was hired as an adjunct, or
temporary, professor to teach two religion classes, which means he is not part
of the faculty, said BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins. She said she was unsure
whether he might return next summer to teach the course, called LDS Marriage
and Family. Mansfield, a marriage and family therapist in Lubbock, Texas,
married his wife, Danielle, in 2010. They are the parents of one son. The sexuality of a staff member would not be
an issue unless there was a violation of the Provo school’s Honor Code, Jenkins
said. On the BYU website, the code states that a person’s "stated
same-gender attraction is not an Honor Code issue." It adds:
"However, the Honor Code requires all members of the university community
to manifest a strict commitment to the law of chastity. Homosexual behavior is
inappropriate and violates the Honor Code. Homosexual behavior includes not
only sexual relations between members of the same sex, but all forms of
physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings." Years ago,
LDS leaders faced criticism within and outside the faith for earlier statements
about same-sex attraction. Mansfield came out in 2004, when he co-wrote In
Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenge of Same-Gender Attraction. The book
began with the story of Stuart Matis, who shot himself on the steps of his LDS
chapel in Los Altos, Calif., after struggling with same-sex attraction. Today,
the Utah-based church emphasizes that same-sex attraction is not a sin, but
acting on it is. LDS leaders recently created mormonsandgays.org, which urges
compassion for those with same-sex attraction. Mansfield has been featured on
the site, under "Ty’s Story." Mansfield, who could not be reached for
this story, co-founded the nonprofit organization North Star, "a support
organization for LDS individuals and families affected by homosexuality."
In May, he wrote an essay on North Star’s website titled "Owning Our
Stories, Living Authentically and Standing as Witnesses." "Over the
course of the last few years there has been a remarkable shift in the
conversation we’re having around homosexuality in LDS culture," he wrote.
"While core doctrines of the church with regard to the appropriate bounds
of sexual expression have not changed (and will not change), there has been a
clarifying and nuancing of church teachings (i.e., sexual attraction or
temptation is not a sin — it’s simply part of the broad range of human
experience we’re called to channel and transcend if we’re to become divine —
only inappropriate indulgence in thought or behavior is), as well as a notable
shift in our cultural attitudes." He also has discussed the topic on
YouTube, and in May 2012, Mansfield and his wife told their courtship story in
an LDS Living magazine article called "Living With Same-Sex Attraction:
Our Story." An editor’s note reads: "We are in no way suggesting
marriage is a catch-all solution; we recognize everyone’s experience is
different. This is simply one man’s story of finding fulfillment and happiness
while living in harmony with the gospel." Adam White, head of the BYU
student group Understanding Same-Gender Attraction, said it’s helpful for
Mormons with same-sex attraction to be visible like Mansfield. "Our
stories need to be told," White said. "It’s important to demystify.
... We read the Honor Code before every meeting. The purpose is to talk about
homosexuality and Mormonism." David Nelson, a pioneer in the gay-rights
movement in Utah, who ran the first campaign as an openly gay candidate for the
Salt Lake City Council in 1985, said Mansfield being hired at BYU is a move in
the right direction, showing "that the LDS Church is practicing what it
preaches when it comes to welcoming church members and employees with same-sex
attraction." "Coming from the premier church university," Nelson
said, "the decision is especially remarkable," considering LGBT students
were disciplined in the 1970s.
2017 QSaltLake In unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election, Sophia Hawes-Tingey has progressed to be on the general election ballot for Midvale City Mayor, Chris Wharton will be on the ballot with Phil Carroll for Salt Lake City Council District 1, Marcia White took nearly half the votes for Ogden City Council At Large District A and Paul Rogers will be on the ballot for Logan City Council.
- Sophia Hawes-Tingey received 628 votes, or 24.27 percent. while conservative
Robert Hale received 788 votes, or 30.45 percent. Hawes-Tingey would become the first openly transgender person to win an elected position in the state if she wins in November.
Sophie Hawes-Tingey 
Chris Wharton In the Avenues/Capitol Hill race for Salt Lake City Council, Chris Wharton, an attorney who has represented many in the LGBT community and lives with his husband, received 1,311 votes for 31.79 percent of all votes cast and will face long-time community activist Phil Carroll in November. Carroll received 1,353 votes for 32.81 percent of the total votes cast in the race.- In the Sugar House/Forest Dale Salt Lake City Council Race, Equality Utah-endorsed Amy Fowler received 1,280 votes for 40.75 percent, and will face Abe Smith, who received 716 votes for 22.80 percent of the vote.
- In Ogden, Equality Utah-endorsed Marcia White received nearly half the vote
— 2,517 votes for 49.87 percent — and will face Lew Wheelwright, who received 1,035 votes for 20.51 percent. On November 7, Marcia White made history as she became the first openly gay candidate to win election to Ogden’s city council. White, who pulled in endorsements from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, the Utah AFL-CIO, Good Government PAC, and Equality Utah, among others, secured 64 percent of the vote.
Marcia White 
In Logan, city council candidate Paul Rogers placed the rainbow flag prominently on his campaign signs and web site. He also spoke of the need to keep Logan Pride alive and thriving. He received 1.123 votes for 12.92 percent of the vote, coming in second in the 10-way race. Top four vote-getters progress to the November general election. Two of the four who receive the most votes in November will become Logan City Council people.
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| Dan Reynolds |
2017 Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds gets a boost for his LGBTQ fundraising concert from, of all groups, the Mormon church SLTRIBUNE Peggy Fletcher Stack Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds was busy putting together this month’s Orem concert to benefit at-risk LGBTQ youths when he got an offer from an unexpected source: the Mormon church. The Utah-based faith — which is famously at odds with gay-rights activists over same-sex marriage and certain LDS Church policies — wanted to know what it could do to help with the Aug. 26 LoveLoud Festival, perhaps an endorsement. Reynolds readily accepted and, on Wednesday, the church posted a statement of support on its newsroom website. “We applaud the LoveLoud Festival for LGBTQ youth’s aim to bring people together to address teen safety and to express respect and love for all of God’s children,” the release stated. “We join our voice with all who come together to foster a community of inclusion in which no one is mistreated because of who they are or what they believe.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints added that it shares “common beliefs, among them the pricelessness of our youth and the value of families. We earnestly hope this festival and other related efforts can build respectful communication, better understanding, and civility as we all learn from each other.” Those words were “wonderful,” Reynolds said Wednesday, “powerful and progressive in a lot of ways.” The LoveLoud Festival will include Reynolds’ band and Neon Trees, both of which have Utah and Mormon ties, as well as EDM duo Krewella and singers Nicholas Petricca, Joshua James and Aja Volkman. It also will feature short appearances by NFL Hall of Famer and Brigham Young University graduate Steve Young and his wife, Barbara; Tom Christofferson, a gay Mormon and brother of LDS apostle D. Todd Christofferson; and Julianne Hough of “Dancing With the Stars.” “We applaud the LoveLoud Festival for LGBTQ youth’s aim to bring people together to address teen safety and to express respect and love for all of God’s children,” the release stated. “We join our voice with all who come together to foster a community of inclusion in which no one is mistreated because of who they are or what they believe.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints added that it shares “common beliefs, among them the pricelessness of our youth and the value of families. We earnestly hope this festival and other related efforts can build respectful communication, better understanding, and civility as we all learn from each other.” Those words were “wonderful,” Reynolds said Wednesday, “powerful and progressive in a lot of ways.” The LoveLoud Festival will include Reynolds’ band and Neon Trees, both of which have Utah and Mormon ties, as well as EDM duo Krewella and singers Nicholas Petricca, Joshua James and Aja Volkman. It also will feature short appearances by NFL Hall of Famer and Brigham Young University graduate Steve Young and his wife, Barbara; Tom Christofferson, a gay Mormon and brother of LDS apostle D. Todd Christofferson; and Julianne Hough of “Dancing With the Stars.” For some, it’s an unexpected show of support by the LDS Church, given that Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn, a gay man, has disavowed his former faith, mocked Mormon founder Joseph Smith in performances and offered biting rebukes of the church’s treatment of LGBTQ members. Reynolds, who launched the event, also has been strong in his criticism of the LDS Church stance on gay members. The Grammy Award-winning singer told Billboard magazine in June that his church’s stance — that it’s OK to be gay, but acting on same-sex attractions is a sin — was “a very dangerous and hurtful and hateful thing to preach and to teach our children.” To be gay “is beautiful and right and perfect,” he told the magazine; “to tell someone they need to change their innermost being is setting up someone for an unhealthy life and unhealthy foundation.” Reynolds said Wednesday he still rejects the church’s position. “If you are gay, your life and your love is correct,” he said, “and just as valid as my life and my love.” But the musician wishes he had been clearer in the Billboard interview that he didn’t mean to criticize all Latter-day Saints “with a blanket statement.” “I have family who are Mormons, friends who are Mormon, and I am Mormon,” said the former LDS missionary, “and so many of them are bighearted and full of love for LGBTQ members and the community.” It’s a “hard road to tread for LGBTQ youths,” he said. “They need our help and our love.” The LDS Church caused a stir in November 2015 with a new policy that does not allow the children of gay parents to be blessed or baptized until they are 18, and deems same-sex married couples “apostates.” Last year, the Salt Lake City-headquartered faith did update its website mormonandgay.org to include more statements of love and acceptance for gay members, while holding to its behavioral standards. For his part, Tom Christofferson welcomes the church’s support for LoveLoud. “I’m thrilled the church wants to be part of a community response to supporting LGBTQ young people and youth safety,” he said Wednesday, “and try to make it better for everyone.” Erika Munson of Mormons Building Bridges, a group that seeks harmony between the LGBT and LDS communities, applauded the statement. “I see this as an important positive expression of support for LGBT youth,” Munson said. “I am really happy that it was an unequivocal statement, with no comment about condoning anything or anybody going too far.” It shows that the church, she said, “sees the harmony that exists between LGBT support and the gospel.” Stephenie Larsen, founder of Encircle, said she heard whisperings a few days ago that LDS Church leaders might issue a statement in support of LoveLoud. “I am grateful that they would reach out,” Larsen said. “I think this is the goal. The more we can love and support each other and who we are as individuals, the better humanity becomes.” Encircle, which opened in February, sees about 60 youths and their families come through its doors each day for services aimed at keeping kids safe and families united. That’s why the church’s statement will be meaningful to so many people, Larsen said. “It will give families the OK,” she said, “to love and support those kids the way they want to.” Reynolds was ecstatic as he described his hopes for the concert, scheduled for Aug. 26 at Utah Valley University’s Brent Brown Ballpark. The festival will provide music as well as a “platform for LGBT youths and their families … to come onstage and talk,” he said. “This is a tricky and tender subject to discuss.” The first step is “for everybody to come to the table with a listening ear,” he said. “Everyone needs to feel respected — otherwise it’s just people yelling at each other.”
I appreciate you doing this blog. Learning a lot.
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