In case you have not seen this story, two men were harassed and arrested in Salt Lake City, Utah. The arrest was for trespassing on property owned by the mormonoids. Apparently, there was a big scandal back in 2003 where the city gave some public land in Salt Lake to the mormon church.
The two men often walked through this area as do many other people, but on this evening they were singled out by security guards because they kissed. The guards detained them, and called the police who cited them for trespassing.
You can read the full story at Blue in Red Zion, Basic Civil Rights V. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Part 1 and Part 2.
Although I have not lived there in 20 years, I grew up in Ogden, Utah which is north of Salt Lake, so none of this surprises me. The church pretty much runs the state, so a sleazy land grant from the city to the church certainly comes as no surprise.
The church’s hatred of gay people also comes as no surprise.
When I was looking for the story, I came across the blog for this guy, Voice Of Deseret. Apparently, he thinks that the gay conspiracy is once again trying to advance the gay agenda.
First, he gives the following quote from the Blue in Red Zion article.
this especially irked the both of us because having walked through on a frequent basis (we often walk to work through there) and every time I have been through there are either marriage ceremonies going on, young mormon [sic] couples cuddling in front the fountain, hugging, holding hands, etc.
Matt then tried to get them to admit they were singling us out because they just didn’t approve of “gay” public displays of affection, baiting them into revealing their bigotry.
Then, he says
So they openly admit they were merely trying to bait and provoke the Church rather than resolve a dispute. This exposes the moral bankruptcy and crass opportunism of the gay rights movement, and shows why we must not compromise with them, but continue to ratchet up the ante against them as much as possible.
So let’s see. You find yourself in a situation where you feel you are being singled out for unjust treatment. The people who are treating you badly are too hypocritical to tell you the real reason why you are being singled out, even though the reason is obvious.
I would think most people in this situation would be a tad bit angry. They may even react out of anger to the people treating them this way. Not according to this guy though. Their angry behavior was just a show. They were simply trying to “bait and provoke” people.
Apparently, if you have a normal reaction of anger at being treated unjustly, it proves that you are morally bankrupt and a crass opportunist. In fact, such behavior even calls for the use of a mixed metaphor in the need to “ratchet up the ante” against you.
Strong words there even if they don’t make a whole lot of sense.
The mormon church tells people that they can know the truth of the book of mormon by praying about it, and asking god to show them if it is true. Apparently, god will give them a “burning in the bosom” that tells them to become a mormonoid.
Hey, when a gay guy looks at another man, and feels all warm and happy inside, maybe god is telling him to have gay sex. I’m just saying.
All of this just makes me really glad that I don’t live in Utah anymore.
Update
Some protesters held a “kiss-in” near the mormon temple. Apparently, they were not swallowed up by the Earth, and the angel moroni did not fall off of his giant golden ball. Although, he did feel a tad bit silly blowing a giant trumpet while the gay people were kissing.
