Feb, 2000

This a Tracy Press article from Tracy, California. At the heading it includes some clarifications by Alan. Because of their opposition to Prop. 22, Yvette and Alan Hansen's bishop placed both of them on "informal probation."

While the article is nearly accurate, I deny some of the statements the reporter said I made. The 3rd paragraph says we have encountered nothing but backlash, but that is not true. In addition to the backlash, we have encountered a tremendous amount of support for our position from Mormons and non-Mormons here in quiet little Tracy, and we are befuddled as to the reporters reasons for not reporting it that way. There are other mistakes too...but I won't waste your time mentioning them here.

Alan Hansen

Proposition 22, the ballot initiative that would authorize the state to recognize only marriage between a man and a woman as legal, may be the measure on the March ballot with the most potential to polarize voters.

For two Tracy residents, the price of taking an unpopular stance on the measure is clear.

Yvette and Alan Hansen say they have encountered nothing but backlash for having one of the few yards in town with a "No on prop. 22" sign. [see correction above]

They say disturbing phone calls to their home started as soon as their letters to the editor were published. They wrote, espousing their beliefs that the proposition is anti-family, because it may prevent children who live with gay couples from receiving the same benefits as children of heterosexual couples.

"We cannot keep quiet about something that would hurt even one child, and this will hurt many," Yvette Hansen said.

But as long time members of The Church of Latter-day Saints, the Hansens say they have been exhorted to support the campaign in favor of the initiative or stay quiet.

Since they publicized their opposition to the measure, they said they've received disturbing phone calls at home.

"Just when I think the worst is over, another call comes," Yvette Hansen said.

She said some callers have accused both her and her husband of being gay.

"We're not gay," she said. "Look at us."

Yvette, who is a home-schooler, and Alan, who commutes to his job in San Jose, have 2 young children and a foster daughter they plan to adopt.

"I'm not a proponent of homosexuality; I don't think one way or another about it," he said. "I just think proposition 22 creates a lot of problems, and doesn't solve any."

If approved, the measure would declare that "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

The measure is aimed a pre-empting recognition of same-sex marriages should they become legally binding in other states.

The latest polls show that 52% of voters favor the proposition, 39% oppose it, and 9% are undecided.

The Hansens recently were placed on informal probation by the bishop of their church, Brian Robbins.

The difference between informal and formal probation, they said, is that formal probation requires a disciplinary meeting, whereas informal probation may be doled out at the discretion of the Mormon bishop.

While on probation, they cannot hold a position in the church, serve in the church, or offer prayers during worship.

The disciplinary action was stinging to the couple.

"We're bitterly disappointed," Alan Hansen said. "We just want the church to remember its congregation is vast and varied and (the church) should practice compassion."

Rex Brown, President of the Manteca Stake, which is made up of eleven wards, including Tracy's 5, said that while the church has a confidentiality policy that prohibits officials from discussing the Hansens specific situation, the issue appears to have less to do with Proposition 22 and more to do with publicly opposing the church.

"Any organization would be against a member publicly announcing opposition to the organization," Brown said.

"You would rather have the individual address their opposition privately," he added.

The Hansens said they previously told their bishop they were not comfortable with politics being discussed in church, and even left during services where Proposition 22 was addressed.

"It's dangerous to mix church and politics," Alan Hansen said.

Though the couple admits they knew their stance against Proposition 22 would be unpopular, they said they didn't expect reactions to be so severe.

"The church told members that we don't have to vote 'yes,'" Alan said. "Well, that means I can vote 'no,' and I can talk about my reasons."