Mormons Resign from Church in Support of LGBT Community

Author: The Human Rights Campaign
Published: 16th Nov 2015
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: LGBTQ+ News Publications

Summary: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members resign from the church in protest of new policy that includes ban on baptism of children of same-sex couples.

Main Document

In a formidable display of support for the LGBT community, thousands of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints resigned from the church yesterday in protest of a new policy that includes a ban on the baptism of children of same-sex couples.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, responded to the mass resignation by urging the Mormon church to rescind the deplorable attack on loving and committed same-sex couples and their families.

"Thousands of the Mormon faithful standing with the LGBT community sends a powerful message that love will always win," said Mary Beth Maxwell, HRC's Senior Vice President of Programs, Research and Training. "Turning children away, asking them to disavow their parents, and devaluing the lives of same-sex couples and their families is shocking to people of faith committed to welcoming all God's children. We hope that church leaders will reconsider this hurtful and deplorable policy."

The policy characterizes the relationships of Mormons in same-sex couples as "serious transgressions," calling them apostates of the faith and putting them on par with those who commit murder, rape, sexual abuse, spousal abuse, or intentionally cause serious physical harm to others, as well as those who engage in adultery, fornication, or abandon their family responsibilities. The policy also marks the first time a Christian church has enshrined a baptismal ban on children of same-sex couples.

A recent report released by Pew Research shows growing acceptance of the LGBT community by members of the Mormon church. In the new report, 36 percent of Mormons said they agree with the statement, "homosexuality should be accepted by society," a 12 percent increase from 2007.

The new policy does not mention gender identity; the LDS Church has no official policy regarding gender identity and expression.

Post to Twitter Add to Facebook

Latest LGBTQ+ News Publications
The above information is from our reference library of resources relating to LGBTQ+ News that includes:
	The Struggle of the LGBTQI+ Community in the Favelas of Brazil OP-ED article by L.M Bonato about LGBTQI+ resistance in Brazil amidst organized crime. Publish Date: 8th Nov 2024
	Increased Adoption of They/Them Pronouns Research paper provides the first evidence of how people use they or them when talking about a specific person in a spoken storytelling context. Publish Date: 19th Apr 2024 - Updated: 24th Jun 2024
	Exploring Sex and Gender in Science Cell issue on sex and gender in science includes a collection of articles on topics related to strategies for promoting gender equality in academia, enhancing rigor in the study of sex-related variables, and supporting transgender researchers. Publish Date: 14th Mar 2024 - Updated: 5th Oct 2024
	Today's Problematic Use of Pornography International study reveals how problematic use of pornography is affecting people in different parts of the world, across various genders and sexual orientations. Publish Date: 5th Mar 2024 - Updated: 5th Oct 2024