Church of LDS Takes Steps Towards LGBT Recognition

Leaders of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons both praised and called to task the leaders of the LDS Church for recent statements by the Church regarding gay men and women.
In an August 13 press release, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledged that it "does not object to rights [for same-sex couples] regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the family or the constitutional rights of churches and their adherents to administer and practice their religion free from government interference, [and that] the Church's opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards homosexual men and women." Church members were reminded of their "obligations of love, kindness, and humanity toward all people," and urged to "approach this issue with respect for others, understanding, honesty, and civility."
"This is by far the Church's most affirming statement of both human and civil rights of gay people since the issuance of "God Loveth His Children" which acknowledged that being gay is not a disease or a sin," said David Melson, Affirmation's media spokesperson. "We applaud the courage of the leaders who chose to make this statement, which is contrary to many of the Church's words and actions of the past, and we see this as a positive step.