Salt Lake City (ABC 4 News) – News of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling California’s Proposition 8 unconstitutional was welcomed happily but cautiously by Utah’s gay community.
Valarie Larabee, the executive director of Utah’s Pride Center, told ABC 4,
“I think it’s important it plays out in the courts, but I am much more concerned with how it plays out in the hearts and minds of Americans."
But the LDS Church did not join in the celebration.
In a lengthy and strong statement, the Church said:
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regrets today's decision. California voters have...determined...marriage should be recognized as only between a man and a woman. We have always had that view."
In 2008, not only did the LDS Church strongly support Prop 8, members gave both money and time to help pass it.
Even though protests in California and Utah erupted over the Church's involvement, its opposition to gay marriage remains strong.
But if you ask as Utah's gay community, it believes time and justice are on its side.
According to Larabee,
"Those of us working on the side of equality do believe that the day is coming when LGBT Americans are going to have the full rights and privileges of straight Americans."
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