This Day In Gay Utah History November 5th

November 5th

Howard Taubman

1961 New York Times critic Howard Taubman launches an attack on "the increasing incidence of homosexuality on the New York stage" in an article headlined "Not What It Seems: Homosexual Motif Gets Heterosexual Guise."

1967- A recent influx of prostitution, Hippies, and marijuana-problems plaguing Salt Lake City Police have left the neighboring cities of Ogden and Provo relatively untouched, a check of police officials in the three cities indicates.  Another wave of state visitors- the Free Love Clan- has been apparent in Salt Lake City streets the past few weeks, a sudden blossoming of the Flower Children with sandals and beards and buttons. Five Hippies move to Ogden from California and were being watched, the Ogden Police Chief L.A. Jacobsen said.

hippies

1969-The Homosexual Information Center protested at the offices of the Los Angeles Times to protest the newspaper's refusal to print the word "homosexual" in ads after it refused to print an ad announcing a group discussion on homosexuality.

1969 Legalize Abortions Most Physicians Agree in Poll New York (AP) A majority of doctors polled by Modern Medicine Magazine say women should be given abortions on request [51%] and consenting adults should be permitted to engage in homosexual acts [67.7%]. 27,741 physicians took part in the poll. Ogden Standard examiner.

The Lambda 

1970-The New York Times reported that the Gay Activists Alliance's petition to incorporate as a non-profit organization was denied because of the use of the word "gay" in the organization's name.

Elaine Noble

1974-Elaine Noble was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, making her the first openly gay person to be elected to public office.

Anita Bryant

1977- In an SL Tribune article entitled LDS Leader  Hails anti-Gay Stand, LDS President Spencer Kimball told reporters that Anita Bryant was “doing a great service” because church leaders fell that “the homosexual program is not a natural and normal way of life. 

Spencer W. Kimball

1985 The most homophobic Mormon President of the 20^th Century, Spencer Woolley Kimball died at the age of 90 years ending an almost 40 year crusade against Gay people. Succeeded by far right demagogue Ezra Taft Benson who was too decrepit  to do much harm.

1985-The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed legislation to protect people with AIDS from discrimination.

1987- The Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah adopted official by-laws and a name  for the group. 

Bianca

1990 Monday Empress Bianca, [Alex Cueva], came over to have her Medicine cards read.  We had such a good time that we ended up visiting until 10:30! Bianca is very unique and very other worldly. He's a very, very beautiful melding of male and female until one does not know where one leaves off and the other begins. Alex Cueva is this year's Empress of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire and while he has a composed reserve demeanor he has flashing eyes that glow when things of the Spirit touches him. His cards were as unique as he is. We never pulled a main totem because I doubt if he'll ever join the Sacred Faeries or if even we could ever become really close. Perhaps Drag Queens are meant to be an illusion and are not to be scrutinized too closely. I like him though, and can see how he must be on his guard constantly to keep people from using him and his position.  (Journal of Ben Williams)

Gordon Church

1992 The Utah attorney general's office does not believe the media or the general public have an assumed right to attend preliminary hearings or review court records related to those proceedings. Media in the state disagree. The two sides took that disagreement to the Utah Supreme Court after a Millard County justice of the peace banned the public and the press from two 1989 preliminary hearings in a capital murder case of the murder of a Gay man, Gordon Church. Utah Supreme Court Justice Michael D. Zimmerman said Hare clearly erred in closing preliminary hearings for Michael Anthony Archuleta and Lance Conway Wood. The two men have been convicted of the 1988 torture slaying of Gordon Ray Church, 28. State media appealed Hare's decision to two 4th District judges in 1989. The judges ordered Hare to make transcripts of the hearing available but ruled that documents and other evidence used at the preliminary hearing remain sealed. The media originally asked for all documents related to the case, Mitchell said. Now the media wants to see post-investigative documents filed with the court in connection with the hearing, she said. The media originally made a general request for documents in the Church murder because the court files were sealed and media lawyers had no idea what was in them and, hence, what to ask for. The Utah Supreme Court has never declared that the media and public have an assumed right to attend court proceedings and review court records related to the proceeding. Several federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court have ruled that the public has a presumed right to attend court proceedings. However, even the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet ruled on a presumed right to review court documents, though some federal courts have.

David Sharpton

1995- It was a festive event with somber overtones. The occasion was The People With AIDS Coalition of Utah's 1995 Awards Banquet, which recognizes contributions made to the HIV/AIDS community. The coalition was founded in 1988 by the late David Sharpton to meet the needs of people affected by HIV/AIDS. The evening began with a cocktail hour and silent auction in the downstairs atrium of Salt Lake City's University Park Hotel. There were red, white and blush wines donated by Kim Hassibe, tasty hors d'oeuvres and much friendly chatter among the nearly 300 people gathered for the event. Among those mingling were Alyce Covey, Rick Ith, George Miller and Bill Balkan, Joanne Spruance, Gwen Mulder and Tom Mulder. Connie Warren, a member of The Lakeliners, a popular line-dance group, was there, as were Robert Rosvall, Les Stewart, Anne Stromness, the Rev. Rick Bauer and Tita Smith from Catholic Community Services, Kim Duffin, Rebecca Sanchez, Adrian Ruiz, Leonard Frost and Cindy Bateman. Representing the Utah AIDS Foundation were executive director Barbara Shaw, accompanied by husband Frank, Stan Penfold, Mark O. Bigler, Leota Pearson, Lori Smith, Kim Russo and Julie Mayhew. Andrew W. Bills, chairman of the board of The People with AIDS Coalition, and Cori Sutherland, office manager of the PWACU, visited with Dell Larsen and Chad Smith. Also there were Don R. Austin, a longtime Utah AIDS activist and founder of the awards banquet, now in its second year, and Brett Clifford, Dee and Randy Peterson, Judy Rollins, Lou Arnold, Bruce Romney and Richard ``Dick'' Booth. Other guests included Julie Day and John S. and Jamie Williams of St. George. After the predinner festivities, the crowd gathered for a sit-down vegetarian dinner and presentations of awards. Sitting at the table of AIDS physician Kristen M. Ries were Jane Edwards, executive director of the Salt Lake YWCA, and Maggie Snyder, physician assistant to Ries, Louise Eutropius, Laurel Lewis, Betsy Blee, Brenda Dea, Karen Moffitt and Harry Rosado. Receiving the Political/Social Policy Award was Doug Vilnius, who, as director of Community Health Services at the Utah Department of Health, was an advocate of HIV/AIDS program and services. Suzanne Kaempfer, coordinator of the University Hospital's AIDS Clinical Service Program, was the recipient of the Kristen Ries Professional Award, while Laurel Ingham, a veteran HIV/AIDS volunteer, received the Red Ribbon Award for an Individual. Ballet dancer Peter Christie and Sheneka accepted the Red Ribbon Award for an organization on behalf of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, a community-based gay organization that has raised thousands of dollars for those with HIV/AIDS. Cindy Kidd, a strong voice for nongay people affected by HIV/AIDS, received the PWA Coalition of Utah Volunteer Award. The recipient of the Business Award was Community Nursing Service, a home-health agency that this year developed the Journey Home Program, which for those with HIV/AIDS offers care that affirms life and regards dying as a natural process. Phill Wilson, director of public policy, AIDS Project Los Angeles, gave a riveting keynote address. Using the song made popular by Bette Midler -- ``From a Distance'' -- to emphasize his message, Wilson said society must look at the needs of individuals, particularly those with HIV/AIDS, not from a distance but ``up close and personal.''  The crowd quietly left the banquet room. Then, those who had bid on auction items --from artwork donated by Randall Lake, Lori Mehan, Chad Smith, Trevor Southey and Randi Wagner to a gift certificate from The Dog Show pet groomery -- went to pick up their purchases. Close to $5,000 was raised. Kristen Ries left with a watercolor by Patricia Forsberg titled ``Just for a Moment Everything Was as It Could Never Be Again,'' which the artist dedicated to three friends lost to AIDS. 11/05/95 Page: J8

1996 Tuesday, GAY UTAH DEMOCRATS GROUP TO DISBAND AT END OF YEAR  Gay

David Nelson

and Lesbian Utah Democrats will cease to be a political organization at the end of this year, GLUD founder David Nelson said Tuesday. The group has been having problems for some time. After Nelson earlier this year criticized 2nd Congressional District Ross Anderson for Anderson's "clarification" of his stand on same-sex marriages, a number of GLUD supporters severely criticized Nelson. Then-GLUD leaders said Nelson didn't speak for GLUD. Howard Johnson, former GLUD president, told the Deseret News this summer that members of the group were considering disbanding. In announcing GLUD's demise Tuesday, Nelson said that a gay and lesbian caucus within the state Democratic Party will continue "to serve as a way to encourage bisexual, gay and lesbian people to work within the party to help protect equal rights." There are a number of caucuses within the party, but few have been as politically active outside the party as GLUD. During the 1996 legislative session, several leading Democratic officeholders met privately with GLUD leaders and asked the group to change its name. The officeholders said continued public activity by the group - and the use of "Democrat" in its name - was hurting Democrats' efforts to appeal to a broader political base in the state. Nelson has been a steady promoter of GLUD, showering news media with press releases on paper and by e-mail. During the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago this year, Nelson, a delegate, sent out more than a dozen GLUD press releases during the five-day event. 

Kelli Peterson

1997 Salt Lake City resident Kelli Peterson has been awarded the $5,000 Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award from the Playboy Foundation. While a student at East High School in Salt Lake City during the 1995-96 school year, Peterson established the Gay-Straight Student Alliance, reports the Salt Lake Tribune The $5000 honorarium award  honors people who make a significant contribution to the expansion of civil rights in the United States.  Salt Lake Tribune Page: D2    Student Wins 1st amendment Award: Salt Lake City resident Kelli Peterson has been awarded a Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award from the Playboy Foundation.   The award, which comes with a $5,000 honorarium, was established in 1979 to honor those who have made significant contributions to protect and enhance civil rights in the United States.   While a student at East High School in Salt Lake City during the 1995-96 school year, Peterson established the Gay-Straight Student Alliance. Despite the Utah Legislature's subsequent response -- prohibition of all nonacademic school clubs -- Peterson continued to fight for gay and lesbian students' rights. Now 19 and a student at Salt Lake Community College, Peterson remains active in the Gay-Straight Student Alliance and has inspired similar programs in 25 states.   Peterson and five others will receive their awards on Wednesday in New York City. 

Deeda Seed

1997 Page: B3 S.L. Councilwoman Wants Ordinance Protecting Gays Byline: BY REBECCA WALSH THE SALTLAKE TRIBUNE  Salt Lake City Councilwoman Deeda Seed campaigned for office two years ago, promising to push an anti-discrimination ordinance that includes protection for gay city employees.   Now she is following through with that promise.   Seed has asked city attorneys to draft an ordinance similar to policies adopted by Salt Lake County and the University of Utah that prohibit discrimination against workers based on their age, race, sex or sexual orientation. City Council members are scheduled to discuss the proposed ordinance Nov. 18.   ``This is not currently spelled out in city code,'' Seed says. ``I view this as a basic civil-rights issue. It's not that complex.''   Some of Seed's colleagues already are balking at the idea. Councilman Keith Christensen does not like inserting

Keith Christensen

``sexual orientation'' in a city anti-discrimination ordinance.   ``It's unnecessary,'' Christensen says .``Discrimination is generic. Anti-discrimination laws should be calculated to protect all. It's clear that this is to protect the homosexual and  lesbian members of our community. They need to be protected, but so does everyone else. Naming protected classes of people is offensive.''   But advocates of the proposal say gay and   lesbian employees need to be specifically protected from on-the-job discrimination.   Federal law prohibits discrimination of particular groups, but does not mention gays. State law is similarly vague on the issue, prohibiting discrimination based on any ``nonemployment-related factor.''   That legal gap has created an uncomfortable, even hostile, workplace for some gay workers, says Debra Burrington,

Debra Burlington &
 Charlene Orchard

a visiting assistant professor at the University of Utah.   ``When there's no law at the federal, state or city level that protects you, and there's an attitude in the local culture that you're less than human because of your sexual orientation, you're not going to talk about it unless you know you're not going to be fired,'' Burrington says.   Charlene Orchard, chairwoman of the Utah Human Rights Coalition, could not find any gay city employees willing to talk about their experiences. That silence is telling, Orchard says. City workers are afraid to come out. But anew ordinance could change that.   ``An ordinance like this sends a message to people that discrimination is not something we want to tolerate in our city,'' Orchard says. ``It's a first step toward recognizing that we want a community that respects everyone.''   In 1991, the University of Utah approved an equal opportunity and non discrimination policy that protects gay employees from discrimination. And Salt Lake County commissioners approved a similar policy in1992.   Two years ago, Salt Lake City mayoral hopeful Rich McKeown talked about issuing a memorandum extending the same protections to gay employees. He lost to Deedee Corradini.   Seed gave city attorneys Salt Lake County's policy as an example. The county's ordinance prohibits discrimination based on ``age, marital status, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, race or religion.''   A Gay Lesbian Employee Association grew out of the changes. But GLEA spokesman David Turner acknowledges that the group meets away from the county complex so workers will not be identified.   ``It may be unfounded, but people still are afraid of their supervisors' reprisals,'' Turner says.   Other cities nationwide have adopted similar policies. And cities as far-flung as Ann Arbor, Mich., and San Francisco have extended benefits to partners of gay employees. That's not part of Seed's proposal  

Gayle Ruzicka

1998 Bryan Irving is angry that Gayle Ruzicka injected herself into his campaign, and called on the Republican Party to repudiate her tactics.  ``With people like Gayle  Ruzicka involved, it almost makes me want to be a Democrat,'' Irving said `I don't think I would have won. But she cost me about 10 points.  Somehow the party has got to get a leash on her.'' Ruzicka, raised $3,000 to pay for a homophobic flier mailed over the weekend to 6,000 District 30 residents. The flier claimed that homosexuals subvert fidelity in marriage, lure young people, scorn traditional morals and openly break the laws they find irrelevant.

1998 Overwhelming passage of constitutional amendments in Alaska and Hawaii outlawing same-sex marriages won praise from the LDS Church, which ponied up $1.1 million to help push the measures to victory,

1999 Friday, 6:00pm-- "Royalty of Colors" annual Rainbow Ball in the Student Union at Weber State University, in Ogden, sponsored by the Delta Lambda Sappho Union, Weber State's gay-straight alliance.  6pm-8pm--Talent Show with Mistress of Ceremonies Sheneka Christie, Empress  XXI of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire. 8pm-8:30pm--Tea Time in the lobby. 8:30pm-11pm--Royal Ball in Ballroom B. Show: $5, Dance: $4, both: $7, couples: $10 for both.

2001-The Denver Colorado city council approved an ordinance barring discrimination against transgender people.

2001 Campaign seeks to register gay voters Daily Herald  Monday, November 5, 2001 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A campaign has been launched to get gay and lesbian Utah residents to register and vote. GayVoteUtah began a month ago over the Internet, and organizers plan direct mailings, fliers and face-to-face "evangelizing." While the campaign's launch coincides with state municipal elections today, it is geared toward statewide elections beginning next year. This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A2. [Gay Vote Utah was David K Nelson’s project]

2005 TEAM SALT LAKE - TO THE 2006 GAY GAMES Team Salt Lake" to Field Multi-Sport Team in the Chicago 2006 Gay Games November 5 Kick-Off Sports Party will feature Registration Discounts, Training, Travel and Housing Information Salt Lake City, UT - Leaders in Salt Lake City's lesbian and gay community nnounced today that they will field a multi-sport team in the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. To help kick things off, Team Salt Lake and 15 co-sponsoring organizations are inviting all interested athletes, artists and fans to a registration and information party on Saturday, November 5, 2005. Traveling from Chicago to brief Team Salt Lake will be Utah native and Gay Games Co-Vice President, Kevin Boyer. The event will take place at the Trapp Door (a private club for its members), 615 W. 100 S., Salt Lake, from 7 to 9 pm. Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival takes place 15-22 July 2006 in Chicago. Opening Ceremony for the Olympic-style event will take place at Soldier Field, home of the NFL's Chicago Bears, with Closing Ceremony at the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field. Team Salt Lake will include participants in up to 30 sports plus musicians and athletes in band, chorus, cheer teams or color guard. "The Gay Games is the experience of a lifetime," said Doug Fadel, coach of the Queer Utah Aquatics Club (QUAC), one of the largest lesbian and gay aquatics clubs in the USA and a co-sponsor of the event. "Everyone is welcome at the Gay Games, regardless of athletic ability or sexual orientation. There are no tryouts. A passion for sports qualifies you to participate. Team Salt Lake wants everyone to be part of our team and join us in plans for next summer's spectacular event in Chicago."  Part of Team Salt Lake's mission will be to help support athletes with training, travel and housing support, and coordination to help reduce expenses. "Select your sport or cultural event and Team Salt Lake will be there to support you on the road to Chicago," said Mark McGowan, multi-sport athlete and co-organizer of Team Salt Lake. Information about Team Salt Lake will be available on its new website at www.TeamSLC.. Registration Fee Discounts

• The November 5 Salt Lake Sports Party is for those who want to learn more about the Gay Games and the sports and cultural groups in Salt Lake City. Through a special arrangement with Chicago, anyone who registers at the event can save $50 per person off registration fees. "It pays to travel in packs!" said Fadel. Registration forms will be available at the party, with payment by credit card, check or cash accepted. An installment plan will be available. Co-Sponsors
• The Team Salt Lake Sports party is co-sponsored by Gay Games Chicago; the Trapp Door (a private club for its members); Queer Utah Aquatics Club (QUAC); Salt Lake City Avalanche (flag football); SLC Triathlon Club; SLC Volleyball; Frontrunners of Utah; Salt Lake Pride Softball; Good Times Bowling League; SLC Golfers; Swerve Utah; Equality Utah; Utah AIDS Foundation; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Utah; SWERVE; and the Salt Lake Metro. Utah State Senator Scott McCoy is among more than 70 Gay Games Chicago Champions and Ambassadors, prominent individuals throughout the world - gay or straight - who have agreed to lend their support to the 2006 Gay Games. Gay Games Champions are chaired by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. This is the Gay Games' first return to North America since the 1994 Gay Games in New York. About Kevin Boyer, Featured Chicago Guest Kevin Boyer is the Co-Vice President of Gay Games Chicago and has been part of the Chicago organization since 1999. Born in Salt Lake City, he is a 1986 graduate of Weber State. Boyer moved to Chicago in 1988 after completing his graduate degree at the University of Oregon. In 1990, he co-founded Communication Management, Inc., a management and marketing firm that continues to specialize in special events, public relations, and the nonprofit community. In 1999, he co-founded Third Coast Marketing, a marketing firm specializing in reaching lesbian and gay consumers. Boyer has been actively involved in Chicago gay and lesbian business, arts and sports organization. In 1996 he co-founded the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, served as its co-chair for four years, and received its President's Award in 2000. He is the former president of the Board of the Gerber/Hart Gay and Lesbian Library and Archives and received the Pearl M. Hart Service Award in 2001. In 1999, he was the founding co-chair of the Board of Chicago Games, Inc., the host organization for the 2006 Gay Games and now serves as its co-Vice President, chairing the marketing committee.
• About Gay Games VII Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival will take place 15-22 July 2006. Over 12,000 athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis. The weeklong event will include band, cheerleading and color guard performances, chorus, an ancillary arts festival, and a series of community-organized social events and parties. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 15 July at Soldier Field, the lakefront home stadium of American-style football's Chicago Bears. Closing ceremony will be 22 July at Wrigley Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, located in the heart of Chicago's largest LGBT neighborhood.  For the first time ever, the Gay Games in Chicago will receive widespread television coverage on the Q Television Network. Early sponsors of Gay Games VII include PlanetOut/Gay.com; Walgreens; Q Television Network; Orbitz; Sydney New Mardi Gras; Human Rights Campaign; McKnight Kurland Baccelli; Mate, Genre, Pink and Girlfriends magazines; Windy City Media Group; Olivia Cruises & Resorts; and more than 80 business sponsors. About The Gay Games
• The Gay Games was conceived by Dr. Tom Waddell, an Olympic decathlete, and was first held in San Francisco in 1982 with 1,350 participants. Subsequent Gay Games have been held in San Francisco (1986; 3,500 participants), Vancouver (1990; 7,300 participants), New York (1994; 12,500 participants), Amsterdam (1998; 13,000 participants), and Sydney (2002; 11,000 participants). The Federation of Gay Games is the international governing body that perpetuates the quadrennial Gay Games and promotes the event's founding principles of Participation, Inclusion, and Personal Best Chicago Games, Inc. is the host of Gay Games VII and is led by experienced civic leaders from Chicago's business, sports and non-profit sectors. For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VII in Chicago, visit www.GayGamesChicago.org, e-mail nfo@GayGamesChicago.org, or phone (773) 907-2006.

2005 Saturday, In the Box Encore – MoDiggity’s (7:30pm) $10 GLBT Community Center and MoDiggity’s presents: in the box encore: a multimedia presentation by Daisy Johnson and featuring the solo debut of Lisa Marie’s new musical release, Awake. The fundraiser is for the Lynn E. Stewart memorial fund and the evening will kick off Transgender Awareness month. Special green room tickets available at the Center table at the event. MoDiggitys (a private club for members) is located at 3424 S. State. $10 at the door.

2005 Auntie De’s Annual Salute to Cowboys show and benefit held.

Ruby Ridge
aka Donald Steward

2006 Sunday  5:00 pm: Ruby Ridge, from the Utah Cyber Sluts, presents "Love & Romance in a `Straight World. Ruby Ridge will facilitate a fun panel discussion on long-term lesbian and gay Relations. Both a lesbian and gay couple who have been in a long-term relationship will be on the panel. Come with questions about love and romance.  Held at Metropolitan Community Church, 823 South 600 East in Salt Lake City.

2015ew Mormon policy makes apostates of married same-sex couples, bars children from rites  By Jennifer Dobner The Salt Lake Tribune Apostasy • Change subjects Mormons in same-sex unions to likely excommunication; their children may be barred from blessings and baptisms. Mormons who enter into same-sex unions will be considered apostates under new church policies, and their children will be barred from blessing and baptism rituals without the permission of the faith’s highest leaders. The policies are part of “Handbook 1,” a guide for lay leaders of the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The changes were leaked to the public via social media Thursday. Blogger and podcaster John Dehlin, who was excommunicated from the LDS Church earlier this year for apostasy, posted the documents on Facebook, triggering strong, sometimes angry responses — including “outrageous,” “repulsive” and “anti-family” — from people in and out of the church. Dehlin, of Logan, called the policies “harmful” and stunning, given recent efforts by the LDS Church to build bridges with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. “It’s just totally surprising,” he said. “This is a level of retrenchment that I don’t think anybody could have envisioned.” Church spokesman Eric Hawkins confirmed the documents were accurate, but he did not answer questions about the policies beyond stating that the church has a longstanding policy against gay marriage. “While [the church] respects the law of the land and acknowledges the right of others to think and act differently, it does not perform or accept same-sex marriage within its membership,” Hawkins said in a written statement. In a statement. Troy Williams — the executive director of Equality Utah, which worked alongside LDS Church leaders to pass Utah’s nondiscrimination law to protect the LGBT community and religious freedom — said that all churches have the right to “welcome or exclude” whomever they choose.  “We know that children of same-sex parents are treasures of infinite worth,” said Williams, who grew up Mormon. “In our universe, all God’s children have a place in the choir.” Under LDS Church doctrine, marriage is considered an institution created by God that can occur only between one man and one woman. Mormon leaders have been politically active in efforts to ban gay marriage across the U.S. since the 1990s. They lobbied Congress for a constitutional amendment to protect marriage between one man and one woman in 2004. Even so, LDS Church leaders have said members who support same-sex marriage can remain in good standing with the faith. Under the new church policy, people in “same-gender” marriage have been added to the list of those acts that are considered apostasy and would be subject to disciplinary action. Historically, the church has excommunicated some members who have acted on their same-sex attractions.

However, Dehlin said, “before today it’s never been defined in the handbook as apostasy.”
As for children, a separate section of the handbook says that natural or adopted kids of same-sex parents, whether married or just living together, may not receive a naming blessing. The policy also bars children from being baptized, confirmed, ordained to the church’s all-male priesthood or recommended for missionary service without the permission of the faith’s highest leaders — the governing First Presidency. To get that permission, the policy states that a request must be made through a mission president or a regional church leader, and only after certain requirements are met. Those requirements are that a child is committed to living church doctrine and “specifically disavows the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage,” is 18 “and does not live with a parent who has lived or currently lives in a same-gender cohabitation relationship or marriage.” Nick Literski, a gay man from Seattle who left the LDS Church after coming out in 2006, said the policy will directly affect his relationship with his children. The youngest, a 17-year-old girl who lives in Illinois with her mother, is already preparing for the mission she hopes to serve when she reaches age 19.  That may be impossible now, said Literski. “She now can’t serve a mission unless she ‘disavows’ her own father’s life — basically convinces a stake president that she’s sufficiently disgusted by me,” he said, adding that he was physically shaken after reading the policy. “I’m heartsick,” Literski said. “It’s so incredibly unfair to put her in this position.” Literski supports his daughter’s desire to serve an 18-month church mission, for which she already has asked relatives to support through Christmas and birthday gifts that may help her in the field. As news of the policy spread, Affirmation, a support group for gay Mormons, was flooded with messages from members expressing their “tremendous hurt, heartache, emotional distress and spiritual confusion,” said Randall Thacker, the group’s president.
Thacker said he found the church’s new policy for children of gay parents particularly egregious. “I cannot imagine Jesus Christ denying any child a baptism because of the status of their parents,” he said. “It goes against everything I ever thought the savior and baptism was about.” In response to the policies, Affirmation is organizing outreach and support events — both in Utah and via the Web — for Sunday. The gatherings will include a call for fasting and prayer to advance understanding and compassion, Thacker said. In a statement, LDS women from the advocacy group Mama Dragons said the “difficult” policy fills them with profound sadness. But the women said they would remain resolute in their support of their children and grandchildren and in their work to keep families from fracturing over the issue of sexuality.  “These statements do not feel like love to us,” the Mama Dragons said. “It feels positively medieval, unequivocally wrong, and in our estimation stands to push more people out of the church and tear apart families.” The women, who run support groups for Mormon families, said they share the fears of many who believe anti-gay rhetoric from LDS leaders leaves some gay youths contemplating suicide and allows some parents to banish gay children from their homes — although Mormon authorities have denounced such shunning.
“We are collectively heartbroken today as our children get the message loud and clear that they are not wanted here,” the group said. “That they are merely collateral damage in some holy moral-values war.”