What do Mormons and gays have in common? I would have surmised “very little.” However, Republican Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon appears (in the video below at the first article link) to be likening discrimination against gays (and their desire to have equal marriage rights) to the persecution faced by his Mormon ancestors for their views on marriage. I am not quite sure what Senator Smith is really trying to convey in this video clip, but it is interesting.
The “Oregonian’s” coverage of this story…
Part of Senator Smith’s position is that “changing the definition of marriage has broad implications that go beyond the gay and lesbian community”–using an example from his Mormon ancestry to illustrate.
Marriage & Relationship Recognition
GLBTAs an aside, my “Google alerts” were full today with “breaking news” covering the opponents of our Oregon quality laws abandoning their repeal efforts. Of course, Just Out Blog’s Repeal Watch gave us this news just about a week ago! Hey, it is never too late to spread the good news! 
I think he (in a way) was dancing around the
subject as to not step on peoples toes.
HUGS!!
He is using Mormon history to justify his support for marriage-denial because polygamy is all over the news these days. It’s the old “Oh my gosh, if we open the door to gay marriage just look at all of the other freaks we have to contend with” argument. He “supports” LGBTQ rights, as long as they don’t infringe upon his own (and the GOP in general) moral code.
Hugs to you.
I find his statements odd. I read a big long book on Mormon history. One of the things is that they didn’t allow people with dark skin to be Mormon because they believed that people with dark skin was sinful.
I think that changed in 1979. He’d have a better argument if he used freedom of religion. I think.
C.
Laurie: It did seem as if he was struggling to say _something_ and yet not “offend” anyone… Hmm…
Debra: Thought provoking… thank you! I have always wondered why if gays can marry then all of a sudden ‘polygamy’ will happen and ‘parings with animals’, etc. Appreciate you shedding some light.
Ceara: Mormon history is a mystery! Amazing with the “dark skin” comment. I just have to shake my head at what “religion” has espoused through the centuries!