Reid rips LDS Church's Prop. 8 support

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13546968

Washington » In a meeting with gay-rights activists last week, Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid criticized the LDS Church for backing a
ballot measure banning same-sex marriage in California, saying the
leaders of his faith should have stayed out of the contentious
political fight.

Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, is the highest ranking elected official
who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He
previously has not commented on the flood of Mormon money and
volunteers who helped propel Proposition 8 to victory in November.

But three organizers of the past weekend's National Equality March
said Reid brought up the topic during a conversation in his office.

"He said that he thought it was a waste of church resources and good
will," said Derek Washington, a Nevadan who worked as the outreach
director for the march. "He said he didn't think it was appropriate."

Reid spokesman Jon Summers would not discuss the private meeting, but
he didn't deny the conversation took place.

"While Senator Reid agrees with his church that marriage is between a
man and a woman," Summers said, "he also believes that the resources
that went into the Proposition 8 effort could have been put to better
use."

LDS Church officials declined to comment Monday. But Frank Schubert,
campaign manager for the pro-Prop 8 movement, said: "All churches have
not only the opportunity to speak out
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on important public issues, but really a moral obligation to do so."

The Mormon Church, headquartered in Salt Lake City, repeatedly has
fought attempts to legalize same-sex marriages. California's Prop 8
was no different. Church leaders announced their support in a letter
that was read during Sunday services in meetinghouses throughout the
Golden State. LDS officials called for financial donations and
volunteers. Members of the church did not disappoint.

More than 1,000 Utahns contributed either individually or through a
business to the Prop 8 fight, giving $3.8 million. More than 70
percent of that cash went to groups backing the gay-marriage ban. Utah
ranked second only to California in the amount given to the ballot
battle.

The LDS Church kicked in nearly $190,000 in in-kind contributions to
ProtectMarriage.com, the leading pro-Prop. 8 group. In the end, Prop 8
passed with 52 percent of the vote.

Marchers in Sunday's equality rally, which drew tens of thousands to
the U.S. Capitol, repeatedly referenced the Prop 8 defeat in signs,
statements and even face paint. But when organizers sat down with
Reid, it wasn't a topic they intended to raise. They wanted to thank
him for supporting the march and push him on their desire for federal
action giving gay Americans the ability to get married, serve openly
in the military and fight workplace discrimination.

Reid signed a letter supporting the march and encouraged a sustained
lobbying campaign.

In the meeting, those present touched on issues most important to
them. Dan Choi, a veteran of the Iraq War, who was booted from the
military under the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, thanked Reid for
lobbying President Barack Obama on his behalf. Robin McGehee, of
California, talked about her own family. Then, McGehee said, Reid
brought up his LDS faith and discussed a recent meeting with Mormons
in which he criticized the Prop 8 efforts.

"He personally said they needed to be focused on other things," she
said, "and he felt it was harmful for the church to focus on such a
divisive issue."

mcanham@sltrib.com