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Mormons Mobilize Against Church Leaders
LDS Safe Space Coalition to Send Flowers as an Expression of Dissent

May 29, 2006

Washington, DC — Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were alarmed to hear political calls over church pulpits throughout the United States on May 28th urging members to contact their Senators in support of an anti-gay federal Marriage Amendment. Latter-day Saints across the Church who feel uncomfortable with political directives being involved in worship services are banding together to call on LDS leadership to hold more closely to its professed policy of separation of church and state.

Church members have created the LDS Safe Space Coalition to call for more safe space for gay members, their families, and loved ones within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Coalition is currently mounting a Safe Space Campaign to send thousands of pink flowers to the First Presidency in protest of recent anti-gay political measures by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Church members were disturbed by the LDS leadership's decision to back the conservative Religion Coalition for Marriage in pushing for federal legislation to define marriage as solely between a man and a woman. Many report that gay and lesbian members in the Church are left with no choice but to live in perpetual silence, distance themselves from family and friends, or in many cases commit suicide.

Mormon blogs and discussion groups from coast to coast have been active with expressions of dismay over Salt Lake's political directives against gay marriage. After hearing the First Presidency's letter read in church on Sunday, an LDS mother on the East Coast was troubled: "It's like we're back in the days where Brigham Young could promise 'the Mormon vote' on any issue. After all, when the prophet speaks, the thinking has been done. That's so alarming to me." A young Mormon on the West Coast agreed: "What's next? A 'Vote for Mitt Romney' order handed down to the obedient drones in the church from Salt Lake?"

The LDS Safe Space Coalition is planning its campaign send pink flowers to Church Headquarters as an expression of peaceful dissent. The Safe Space Declaration reads, in part, "The color pink has been embraced worldwide as a symbol of Safe Space, a reminder of the prejudices and torture of the past, and a commitment to creating safe spaces for all of God's children to progress together as equals. The Church we believe in embodies the safest of all spaces, built firmly on the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

For more information, visit www.ldssafespace.org.