Thousands gathered at Temple Square Friday night to protest the passage of Proposition 8 and the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding the ban on same-sex marriage in California.

Jacob Whipple, a former member of the LDS Church, organized the rally. He said he hoped to gather at least a thousand people but Salt Lake City Police spokeswoman Lara Jones estimated there were more than 2,000 in attendance.

The LDS Church responded to recent protests near the Los Angeles temple with a news release Thursday afternoon.

"It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election," the news release stated. "While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process."

Three openly gay state legislators: Scott McCoy, Christine Johnson and Jackie Biskupski, spoke along with former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson at City Creek Park.

Troy Williams, producer of a KUER radio show, said "Our lives are not up for your vote." He went on to express his belief that the LDS Church acted hypocritically because of its history involving polygamy and the sealing of multiple women to one man in LDS temples.

Whipple took the stage immediately after Williams spoke and said he wanted to apologize for "things getting out of hand" and to emphasize the importance of respect and civility for the church.

Scott McCoy, a member of the Utah State Senate said: "I do not hate the LDS church, nor do I hate any of its members. And neither should you. The way to deal with this problem is to love more, not hate.

"In the same breath you can't say you accept us and then turn around and fund a campaign to strip us of our rights in California."

Some of the signs protestors carried stated "Pulpit politics" and "Did we vote on your marriage?" Other signs made references to polygamy and president of the LDS Church specifically. Groups chanted "Tax the church" and protestors marched around Temple Square temporarily closing streets.

Alongside protesters Friday night, there were supporters of the LDS Church and the vote on Proposition 8.

Church member Mike Rose stood outside temple grounds with a sign reading "We are not motivated by hate."

"I'm here to stand up for my church," Rose said. "The church does not breed hate."

Sandy Biesinger of Highland, another church supporter, said: "This isn't about us hating anybody; I don't hate gay people. It's just about protecting God's definition of marriage." Nearby, several young girls sang hymns.

Bishop William Weigand, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento and former Bishop of Salt Lake City, came to the defense of the LDS Church in response to recent protests.

In a news release he said "Bigoted attacks on Mormons for the part they played in our coalition are shameful and ignore the reality that Mormon voters were only a small part of the groundswell that supported Proposition 8."

A similar protest took place at the LDS temple in Westwood Los Angeles Thursday afternoon drawing crowds of more than 2,000.



Copyright Brigham Young University 10 Nov 2008