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Mormon image suffers
after gay marriage fight
By JENNIFER DOBNER
from the Web, August 16, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon
church's vigorous support for the California ballot measure that banned gay
marriage last year has turned the Utah-based faith into a lightning rod for gay
rights activism.
A nationwide "kiss-in" Saturday comes after gay couples in Salt Lake City, San
Antonio and El Paso, Texas were arrested and cited for trespassing or harassed
by police for publicly kissing.
In Utah, the July 9 trespassing incident occurred after a couple were observed
by security guards on a downtown plaza owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. The court case was dismissed, but the kiss sparked a
community backlash and criticism of the church.
Church observers say the church's intervention into California politics has left
the faith's image tarnished.
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