Family Research Council Urges Mormon Church to Rethink Utah SOGI Measure

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Mar 04, 2015, 08:34 ET

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held a joint press conference with Utah-based homosexual activists to advocate for Utah Senate Bill 296, a supposed "compromise" measure on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:

"The legislation as it was unveiled today is based on a fundamental misconception that religious liberty can co-exist with unrestrained sexual liberty. As President Obama's choice for the EEOC Chai Feldblum said, 'Gays win; Christians lose.'

"As we've seen time and time again, something has to give under these mandates — and that 'something' is almost always religious freedom.

"Family businesses shouldn't have to face the threat of government fines or punishment simply for operating in accordance with their belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. The stories of Barronelle Stutzman, along with Aaron and Melissa Klein, are only two of the countless stories in which these mandates are being used to trump religious liberty. Where is the tolerance of different views?

"I disagree with the assertion that this legislation will strike a balance between the special rights measures and religious liberty, those of us closest to the issue understand how impossible that is," Perkins concluded.

SOURCE Family Research Council