Foundation for Reconciliation to Hold Memorial to Gay Suicides

Over the decades and centuries it is impossible to calculate the number of gay suicides that have occurred as a result of the homophobia and anti-gay rhetoric disseminated on a near constant basis by various religious denominations, including the Church of the Latter Day Saints a/k/a the Mormon Church. I am constantly amazed at the manner in which "godly Christians" close their eyes to the deaths that they cause and act as if LGBT individuals were something less than fully human. To my mind, anyone so callous about the misery and deaths they cause is anything but a true follower of Christ. In recognition of the harm that the LDS has done to gays, The Foundation for Reconciliation, a group working to foster greater understanding between the church and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population, will hold a memorial service for victims of gay suicide. Here are some highlights from the Salt Lake Tribune:

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During the LDS Church's semiannual conference this weekend, one group will hold a memorial service for gay and transgender Mormons who have committed suicide.

*The Foundation for Reconciliation, a group working to foster greater understanding between the church and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population, will highlight the plight of some Mormons who have felt despair -- in some instances, to the point of ending their own lives -- over LDS teachings that being in a gay relationship is sinful. The service is Sunday at 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 569 S. 1300 East, Salt Lake City.

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On Nov. 4, the one-year anniversary of California's passage of Proposition 8 outlawing gay marriage in the Golden State, the group plans to deliver, by handcart, its "Plea for Reconciliation" petition to LDS headquarters. The group is gathering signatures online, at www.ldsapology.org.

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The foundation also reports that it has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday with Gov. Gary Herbert to discuss potential legal protections for gay and transgender Utahns.