"Kiss-In" Held To Protest Detention Of Gay Men Outside Mormon Church

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First Posted: 07-12-09 06:08 PM   |   Updated: 07-12-09 06:11 PM

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Deseret News :

A "kiss-in" drew about 60 people sporting pink paper hearts to the sidewalk just off of LDS Church property near Main Street and South Temple Sunday to protest actions taken by church security late last week.

Read the whole story: Deseret News

A "kiss-in" drew about 60 people sporting pink paper hearts to the sidewalk just off of LDS Church property near Main Street and South Temple Sunday to protest actions taken by church security late la...
A "kiss-in" drew about 60 people sporting pink paper hearts to the sidewalk just off of LDS Church property near Main Street and South Temple Sunday to protest actions taken by church security late la...
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The government should take the property using Eminent Domain and then sell the land to the Scientologists.

Exchange one homophobic cult for another. That seems fair.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:11 PM on 07/12/2009
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Mormons vs. Scientologists!

The pirates and ninja's didnt have a chance.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:25 PM on 07/12/2009

Just looking at this from a pragmatic/financial outlook... how wise is it to have security guards over *here* harassing a couple passing through the plaza, while over *there* on the other side of the square might be some actual criminal behavior going unnoticed? Just hypothetically, wouldn't that be a waste of resources? For all the press the initial report and then this "kiss-in" has brought, one might think that a change in policy might occur, ha-ha. Or perhaps the cost of wages for the guards is no object for that particular employer..­. *sigh*

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:06 PM on 07/12/2009
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Ah, but you see, criminal activity is far more acceptable than the grevious unforgiveable sin of homosexuality, so it would make sense that they would put their effort into stopping 2 people from showing affection at the expense of potential theft or murder ~smirk~

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:11 PM on 07/12/2009
- johnnynyc I'm a Fan of johnnynyc 34 fans permalink

Any other fantasy scenarios you care to make up?

This one isn't quite working for me.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:18 PM on 07/12/2009
- Biyobi I'm a Fan of Biyobi 72 fans permalink

Anyone who takes marching orders from imaginary sky beings ought to be looked upon with suspicion. Or pity.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:01 PM on 07/12/2009
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Just ignore them for the most part. Any aknowledgement will be seen as encouragement for them to continue their childish behavior

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:05 PM on 07/12/2009
- calirighty I'm a Fan of calirighty 36 fans permalink

That's funny. Our "childish behavior" made us the first ones on scene in Biloxi, Mississippi following Katrina. Our "childish behavior" has resulted in numerous hospitals built worldwide for the poor. Our "childish behavior" resulted in the construction of a new orphanage in Mexico after one burned down. Our "childish behavior" resulted in the remodeling of a middle school in a poor suburb of Los Angeles. Our "childish behavior" has resulted in numerous accommodations from our government as well as other governments because of the services we provide. I'm proud of what I and others have accomplish­ed.I sleep well at night knowing the good I have done. You, well I guess you have HP and insults. Such a sad life.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:40 PM on 07/12/2009
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give the "imaginary sky being" some credit. the ones that pay real attention to it, aren't the ones repressing people. they are the ones helping people.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:24 PM on 07/12/2009
- calirighty I'm a Fan of calirighty 36 fans permalink

Anyone that believes in life originating from non-life is ignorant. It's amazing all of these "theories" yet nothing has been proven, And why do you worry about us anyways. According to you 100 years from now it will be lights out for you. No one will even remember your name.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:34 PM on 07/12/2009
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But god created life from nothing. That is beyond creating it from non-life. And then Adam took a ribbing and got what's her name.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:38 PM on 07/12/2009

Anyone who believes there was a man who's dad was a god, that he had superpowers, could walk on water, and return from the dead, without even one shred of evidence to support such a belief, is the very definition of irrational.

If you want to believe some sort of entity had a hand in the origin of life on Earth a few billion years ago, hey, maybe it did, but what makes you pick some specific religion and assume it's right and all others are wrong? If you'd been born in India you'd have an equal amount of faith and certainty that Vishnu exists. If you lived 2000 years ago and were born in Italy you'd think Zeus existed. These are all mythologies. They're fictions. Why believe it to be true? Why let it have so much influence in your life? It's silly.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:50 PM on 07/12/2009
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Well, I give people an A for effort for the speed with which this protest was organized and carried out, but a C- as far as follow through. If we, the LGBT community and our supporters wish to be taken seriously, we have to come out en masse with numbers in the 4 or 5 digits. Ie thousands or tens of thousands. not dozens

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:00 PM on 07/12/2009
- johnnynyc I'm a Fan of johnnynyc 34 fans permalink

If you want to be taken seriously try protesting serious issues in a serious way.

Otherwise you're just Bruno Redux.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:09 PM on 07/12/2009
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Freedom of expression in terms of public displays of affection, the loss of honor, integrity and sincerity in terms of Dont Ask, Dont Tell, and financial stability in the form of repeal of DOMA *aren't* serious issues??

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:13 PM on 07/12/2009
- k6007 I'm a Fan of k6007 230 fans permalink
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The power of the internet. Instant protests, gotta love it!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:58 PM on 07/12/2009
- calirighty I'm a Fan of calirighty 36 fans permalink

Wow. 60 people. I'm impressed. If you want to impress me then try getting 60 of your friends together and offer to serve someone other than yourselves for just one day.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:43 PM on 07/12/2009
- weatherwaxx I'm a Fan of weatherwaxx 256 fans permalink

What makes you think anyone cares about impressing you?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:52 PM on 07/12/2009
- MSNichols I'm a Fan of MSNichols 47 fans permalink
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Look at the pictures and notice the support from straight couples.

That Is also impressive.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:56 PM on 07/12/2009
- johnnynyc I'm a Fan of johnnynyc 34 fans permalink

Sorry.

60 people is in no way, shape or form impressive.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:00 PM on 07/12/2009
- k6007 I'm a Fan of k6007 230 fans permalink
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Yes it is. It's more than showed up to protest david letterman. :D

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:02 PM on 07/12/2009
- weatherwaxx I'm a Fan of weatherwaxx 256 fans permalink

You try convincing 60 people to all do the same thing at the same time.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:53 PM on 07/12/2009
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if the church wants to hold out Temple Square as a public access property, then it runs into the constitutional question of public assembly.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:49 PM on 07/12/2009
- johnnynyc I'm a Fan of johnnynyc 34 fans permalink

I'm not sure what good opening that can of worms is going to do the LGBT agenda.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:05 PM on 07/12/2009
- MSNichols I'm a Fan of MSNichols 47 fans permalink
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Maybe shine a light on blatant discrimination?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:07 PM on 07/12/2009
- pjkool I'm a Fan of pjkool 23 fans permalink

The gay community is everywhere. Mostly college educated, we are the teachers, doctors, nurses, lawers, engineers and many other professions that make America what it is. Education=­money=powe­r. We aren't going away.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:39 PM on 07/12/2009
- calirighty I'm a Fan of calirighty 36 fans permalink

And I know a lot of teachers, doctors, nurses, and engineers that disagree with your point of view. And you miss the point. We don't care if you go away or not.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:17 PM on 07/12/2009
- Mirabai305 I'm a Fan of Mirabai305 3 fans permalink
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Would have loved to have supported that!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:33 PM on 07/12/2009

The comments on the Deseret News site were sometimes waaay over-the-top. No one commented on the fact that to get through town you just about have to walk through the plaza. Why any entity would waste resources (security) keeping an eye out for behavior so "inappropriate" as hand-holding and a kiss on the cheek is, well, perplexing to say the least.

This is OT a bit, but what really strikes me is that there is this presumption that any and all "rules" held by a given religion must also be "respected" by anyone who doesn't hold those same beliefs. So, what I can't quite wrap my brain around is this: why doesn't that respect go the other way? Why should I be sensitive to another's beliefs if they are not sensitive to my beliefs or lack thereof, as it may be? Sorry, not trying to sound like Dawkins or anything, but it really is striking to me... wonder if I put too many moderated words in this comment, lol.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:31 PM on 07/12/2009
- Mekales I'm a Fan of Mekales 5 fans permalink
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BRAVO! Well said!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:34 PM on 07/12/2009
- johnnynyc I'm a Fan of johnnynyc 34 fans permalink

Try those shenanigans on Vatican property or St. Patrick's Cathedral and see how quickly you're shown the door.

To those calling this country a police state I suggest they take their behavior to Iran or Saudi Arabia to get a taste of what a real police state is.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:39 PM on 07/12/2009
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well, you see the Vatican is a sovereign nation, so that argument is a red herring.

the temple plaza in SLC from my understanding is held out as a public access property held by the church.

this gets into the constitutional issue of public assembly and right of domain of the church.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:44 PM on 07/12/2009
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"Sorry, not trying to sound like Dawkins or anything"

??? Are you that afraid of offending religious people? The image of Dawkins as some snarling extremist is created by religious people and their apologists who are afraid of smart, uncompromising arguments.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:14 PM on 07/12/2009

This is a matter of opinion, but I read _The_God Delusion_, and he does sound almost rude in a lot of passages throughout the book (which I don't have here in front of me, so can't give examples). I'm not saying I disagree with him, but I wish I could recommend his book to those people who actually need to read it. He's not a "snarling extremist" but could do with a little less condescension. It takes away from his message.

But as to whether I am that afraid of offending religious people? You may have a point there. I did grow up as a churchgoing youngster, so a lot of what bugs me is still ingrained. :(

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:20 PM on 07/12/2009
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im sorry, but proselytizing atheists who spend more time worrying about how people think than their biology experiments strikes a little to close to some of the people that they are attacking.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:34 PM on 07/12/2009
- booker52 I'm a Fan of booker52 24 fans permalink
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Go to the Salt Lake Tribune and you will for the most part see the other half defending the gay couple.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:27 PM on 07/12/2009
- johnnynyc I'm a Fan of johnnynyc 34 fans permalink

The LGBT community is in dire need of serious leadership.

A kiss-in outside Mormon property?

This is frivolous and plays right into the hands of those who have suspicions about what the true motives of the movement are.

The aims are supposed to be political not religious.

The best that can be said this "protest", the term really is laughable in this context, drew slightly more than the Letterman protest.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:30 PM on 07/12/2009
- MSNichols I'm a Fan of MSNichols 47 fans permalink
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For quick response, I would say they did a good job.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:55 PM on 07/12/2009
- johnnynyc I'm a Fan of johnnynyc 34 fans permalink

Palin supporters or the kissing ninnies?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:01 PM on 07/12/2009
- W i l l I'm a Fan of W i l l 8 fans permalink

Agreed. As much as I personally dislike organized religion and it's factions of fanatics..­.private property is private property. Period.

The kiss-in...­was a vulgar display of reactionary dumbness. Any group, must always strive to be better than their opposition. Rolling around in the same mud as they, is a reckless stab at antagonizing people otherwise supportive, into wondering that both sides deserve one another and the rest of society would be best served if both dropped off the map.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:57 PM on 07/12/2009
- MSNichols I'm a Fan of MSNichols 47 fans permalink
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Disagree strongly and if you are able to see some of the pictures posted,you would see a diverse but average looking group (one exception of a woman that was a bit "out there") enjoying a nice, affectionate day. Mostly hetero.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:03 PM on 07/12/2009
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Even if that "private property" was acquired through a corrupt deal which allowed a private group, religious or otherwise, to control a public street?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:04 PM on 07/12/2009
- escribacat I'm a Fan of escribacat 306 fans permalink
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Ha! This story absolutely made my day!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:28 PM on 07/12/2009
- johnnynyc I'm a Fan of johnnynyc 34 fans permalink

Sounds like something out of "Bruno" doesn't it.

Think about that a minute.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:40 PM on 07/12/2009

i think making fun and ridicule of bigots and racistist IS the point of bruno

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:23 PM on 07/12/2009
- CigarGod I'm a Fan of CigarGod 109 fans permalink
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From now on, I will refer to that part of church property as The Kissing Plaza...un­less someone comes up with something better.

I also suggest an annual commemorat­ion...some­thing all American's who believe that all people are equal can participate in...like: "Gay for a Day" on Temple Square.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:22 PM on 07/12/2009
- drumz I'm a Fan of drumz 59 fans permalink
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What is happening with this site today? Posts are disappearing or in the wrong place...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:03 PM on 07/12/2009
- cityprof I'm a Fan of cityprof 2 fans permalink

What happened to the Christian precepts of charity, love, turn the other cheek, etc.? The Mormon Church wants to be mainstream Christian. Doesn't look like they will ever find there way there.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:59 PM on 07/12/2009
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Memo: The Mormon Church is NOT Christian.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:09 PM on 07/12/2009

Another version of the same fairy tale.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:18 PM on 07/12/2009
- JDRNYC I'm a Fan of JDRNYC 25 fans permalink

These people make even Christians look progressive. What a bunch of antiquated, simple minded sheep. It's hard to believe that there are people at this point in time that live in such a backwards, almost dark ages mentality.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:14 PM on 07/12/2009
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