Mormon church says ruling won't alter stance on marriage
ST. GEORGE, Utah. — Members of Utah's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities cheered the U.S. Supreme Court decision Friday that states cannot bar gay marriages, in spite of ongoing religious concerns about the impact of the ruling.
"We are elated," said Springdale resident Joe Pitti, who was among the same-sex couples that lined up at the Washington County Clerk's office to obtain marriage licenses on Dec. 23, 2013, after a federal judge ruled the state's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, meanwhile, issued a statement Friday acknowledging the Supreme Court's legal authority while maintaining the church's belief that gay marriage is contrary to God's will and will have a harmful effect on society.
"The court's decision does not alter the Lord's doctrine," the statement said. "While showing respect for those who think differently, the Church will continue to teach and promote marriage between a man and a woman as a central part of our doctrine and practice."
Most Utah residents have religious or heritage ties to the LDS Church, which established its headquarters in Salt Lake City when pioneering members arrived and began to colonize the region in 1847. The church has reported it now has more than 15 million members worldwide.
Pitti said that because of the state's religious culture, he and his spouse, Mark Chambers, were unsure what would become of their marriage.
"You never really know until you have the final decision," he said. "We have been waiting the whole time we've been married to celebrate with our gay brothers and sisters across the nation."
The LDS Church has supported efforts to strengthen anti-discrimination laws favoring gay rights in recent years in an effort to show "respect" for gay Utahns.
State Sen. Stephen Urquhart of St. George won passage of a bill protecting LGBT Utahns against housing and employment discrimination this year after the LDS Church announced it endorsed similar ideals.
Other religious leaders in Utah praised the court's ruling.
The Rev. Lee Montgomery, vicar of St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Cedar City, said he sees the decision as "a victory for equality across the country."
"God loves all people, and those in the LGBT community are a part of that love," Montgomery said.
"Yet this will be a time of sadness for some also — many people will see this as undermining their beliefs and disagree with the ruling. God's love encompasses both groups."
Ivins City resident Randy Thomson also praised Friday's ruling. As a licensed humanist celebrant authorized to perform marriages, he has presided over some gay weddings when it was legal to do so, he said.
Thomson, a single LGBT individual, said that after growing up in Utah's LDS culture he values family relationships and the "equality" the court's ruling establishes. His family is LDS and does not agree with him on a number of issues, but still welcomes him at home, he said.