White House Announces Ban on Conversion Therapy for LGBT

A senior adviser for President Obama announced that they were seeking law to ban the "conversion therapy" to change one's sexual identity or sexual orientation. The practices were spawned from religious beliefs that homosexuality and trans-gender is a curable illness. The American Psychiatric Association does not categorize either case as an illness, and even states that such practices are harmful, causing anxiety and depression.

The proposed ban will outlaw any conversion therapy to minors, who are the most susceptible to life-long depression and sometimes suicide. A recent teen trans-gender suicide, motivated by conversion therapy, is one of many reasons to push the ban.

A gender-neutral bathroom was installed in the White House to show the support for trans-gender.

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=34161134&nid=157&title=white-house-seeks-ban-on-gay-and-gender-identity-conversion-therapies&s_cid=queue-7

Guam, Other US Territories Want SSM

A clerk in Guam rejected the first same-sex couple application for marriage. The couple wishes to marry in their homeland for family to attend, and doesn't want to wait for US Supreme Court rulings. The territory falls under the 9th District, which has already allowed SSM. The couple is sure the request will follow suit with the previous rulings.

Puerto Rico had a similar situation recently, which falls under the 1st District court. Last month, Puero Rico stopped defending the ban on SSM.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/2377323-155/guam-rejects-lesbian-couples-marriage-license

Jim Debakis will Run for SLC Mayor

It is unusual that three of the four contestants in the run for SLC Mayor are Democrats that have all played important and mutual roles in the progress for LGBT people in Salt Lake. Mr. Debakis is the only openly gay member of the Utah Legislature. Jackie Biskupski was the first openly gay person in the Utah legislature. A third challenger, Luke Garrott, another Democrat, is striving for mayor. Ralph Becker was supportive and present during several LGBT rallies, events, and marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples. But the challengers criticize some of his actions, including prison relocation, raised sales tax, and other alleged "shady" practices.

All of the candidates respect and appreciate several aspects of the others, but feel their ideals are more suited for the next mayor. It is interesting that Salt Lake has had democratic mayors since the 1970s. It shows how much more of a liberal city SLC is compared to its saturated conservative, Mormon state in general. Two of the four, including the current two-term Mayor Becker, will become one of two to advance to the general election on November 4 this year.

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=34125173&nid=757&title=jim-dabakis-to-challenge-ralph-becker-in-sl-mayors-race&s_cid=queue-8

LDS Conference: Concerning Events

Thomas Monson's failing health

It isn't a surprise that Tom Monson, LDS President, is struggling with health at the age of 87. But it was surprising that he:

1) Didn't give an opening statement for the conference (which happened in Oct. 2011)
2) Stumbled into his seat at an afternoon conference (the whole center gasped at the event)
3) Only gave a small speech the first day at the evening men-only meeting

Members voting 'opposed' to LDS leader sustaining

Also shocking was the publicly voiced opposition to the LDS leader sustaining portion of the conference. Up to seven individuals stood up in the conference center to loudly voice, "Opposed", to the several inquiries by Mr. Uchtdorf of, "Any opposed?" Of course, as expected, the thousands of other attendees obediently sustained in favor of their leaders, but gasped at the public dissent within the conference walls.

Mr. Uchtdorf, instead of the usual "President Monson, the vote appears to be unanimous," calmly stated, "The vote has been noted." He also stated that any members opposed to sustaining their leaders should visit with their local bishops and stake presidents to resolve their concerns. It has been dozens of years since members publicly stated their dissent. Unlike in the past, the dissenters were allowed to remain in the conference for the duration of the meeting.

The group that opposed appeared to be part of a small organization called. "anyopposed.org". The general statement is that they believe the church is ignoring people who question doctrines seriously and not properly addressing their concerns. They believe that it is good for there to be dissent in the church and they hope there is no "unanimous" sustaining ever again, saying it is deceptive to observers. There are several issues that the church has inadequately addressed, including LGBT rights, gender equality, and a number of suspicious essays the church has released about the shady truth of the church's past. The group wants the church to make a more serious effort to answer questions instead of just telling the members to read more scripture.

Traditional families again trump the minority as a superior unit

Despite the recent effort to unite mormons with gays, the LDS church took another step back to reiterate that the minority is making itself look like the majority. Mr. Tom Perry stated that those "minorities" are trying to make "mainstream values" look obsolete. Traditional man-woman families are what keep society, the economy, and culture stable, he said. He also grouped "counterfeit lifestyles" with "alternative lifestyles", effectively invalidating anything other than what the LDS church endorses.

Mr. Todd Christofferson stated that families were the best unit for the creation of children. He also grouped people with physical or mental impairments with people who "experience same-sex attraction".

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It seems the LDS church is forever linked to the same-sex marriage issue. It will always be involved, and it will always be criticized for standing firm in its non-inclusive policies. People are beginning to notice. As observed this weekend, members are beginning to stand up against the church.

http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2365694-155/all-is-not-well-in-zion

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=34101802&nid=148&title=lds-leaders-outline-support-for-marriage-for-man-woman&s_cid=queue-5

http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/2364962-155/mormon-leaders-laud-traditional-families-warn

Obama Visits Utah, Meets with LDS Leaders

President Obama came to Utah for the first time on Thursday, 4/2. Although his primary purpose was to propose a new Solar Energy program for Vets, he met with different leaders Thursday night in the Sheraton Hotel in downtown SLC, including a handful of the leading LDS apostles: Henry Eyring, Dieter Uchtdorf, Tom Perry, and Todd Christofferson. The LDS President, Thomas Monson, was unable to attend to reserve energy for the LDS Conference the coming weekend.

Although details of what was actually discussed in the meeting were not released, what was expected to be discussed were the disaster relief efforts of the past, other humanitarian and service it has provided, the immigration system, and other nation-unifying topics.

It is notable that in the last few months of Obama's presidency, he is making extra efforts to unify the several loud and differing voices across the nation.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/2370297-155/obama-lds-leaders-meeting-latest-example

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=34086681

Indiana & Arkansas Sign-in Compromise Laws

Indiana signed into law the bill amendments that explicitly add protections for sexual preference and gender identity. The bill cannot be used as a defense in court to legitimize discrimination. It also bans discrimination to the two and other common groups.

Opponents still want the religious freedom bill gone, and a new bill to add explicit LGBT protections. But they are currently in approval of these steps for the time being.

Arkansas nixed their original bill and signed in a new one. The new bill only addresses government intervention in religious freedom matters--not business or individuals. Although supporters say it doesn't open doors for discrimination, opponents still want more explicit anti-discrimination protection language.

Other states are stalling and/or re-thinking other "religious freedom" measures, including Georgia and North Carolina. Texas also has a proposed bill that threatens LGBT citizens.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=34074918&nid=1016&title=indiana-arkansas-pass-revised-religious-objection-proposals&s_cid=queue-9

Indiana and Arkansas Consider LGBT in 'Religious Freedom' Bills

Indiana quickly responded to the heavy and incessant criticism of its "religious freedom" bill that was passed and signed into law recently. Although they claimed the intention of the bill was to be more inclusive of diverse religion, many saw it as a greater weapon for religious people to object to associating and doing business with LGBT people--considering the timing of the bill.

Gov. Pence of Indiana is working to push amendments to the law that would:

1. "Prohibit service providers from using the law as a legal defense for refusing to provide services, goods, facilities or accommodations."

2. Prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, among the other traditional groups (sex, religion, race, etc).

3. Exempt religions, religious schools, and religious non-profits from the discrimination ban.

These additions closely mirror the SB296 bill in Utah where religious leaders and equal rights groups worked together for a compromising bill. But critics are still wanting to repeal the Indiana bill altogether for the state to begin healing from the backlash.

Arkansas has little time to make changes, but is reacting to sharp criticisms from its biggest corporate resident: Wal-Mart. There are no statements protecting LGBT in any current law, and the 'religious freedom' bill soon to pass has none either. Adding the language as Indiana plans is something Arkansas Gov. Hutchinson is considering.

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=34074918&nid=1016&title=indiana-unveils-changes-to-religion-bill-arkansas-in-flux&s_cid=queue-4