Mormon church endorses marriage equality bill as Republicans continue to freak out

Mormons gave millions to fight against marriage equality over the last few decades. Why are they supporting this bill now?

LDS Temple, Salt Lake City
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The nearly 17-million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – also known as the Mormon church – announced that it supports the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would codify the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in any state by other states and the federal government. The bill is expected to come to a vote in the Senate soon and could be voted on as early as this afternoon.

The church said in a statement that it continues to oppose same-sex relationships. But it cited religious freedom protections in the Senate version of the bill as “the way forward.

“We believe this approach is the way forward,” the statement posted to the church’s website reads. “As we work together to preserve the principles and practices of religious freedom together with the rights of LGBTQ individuals much can be accomplished to heal relationships and foster greater understanding.”

“We are grateful for the continuing efforts of those who work to ensure the Respect for Marriage Act includes appropriate religious freedom protections while respecting the law and preserving the rights of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.”

The statement is notable considering the church’s staunch opposition to marriage equality over the past several decades. The church and its members…

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