At the Salt Lake Tribune, “Petition urges LDS Church to soften stance on gays,” reporting efforts of a collection of LDS and ex-LDS to lobby the LDS Church by delivering a petition reproving its stand on Prop 8. According to the article, “The committee plans to deliver the petition to top LDS leaders Nov. 4, the first anniversary of Prop 8’s passage.” The headline is somewhat misleading — the LDS Church has already softened its stance on gays within the Church. What the petitioners want is for the Church to change its opposition to gay marriage in particular.

The article reports that some Mormons feel a need to choose between the LDS Church and their gay children. I understand that some people feel this way, but it is not the Church that forces such a choice. LDS parents don’t have to choose between the Church and grown children who go inactive. They don’t have to choose between the Church and grown children who choose to smoke. They don’t have to choose between the Church and grown children who hook up or sleep around. Why should they have to choose between the Church and grown children who are gay?