A Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints (the Mormons) statement released Friday on a gay kissing
incident that occurred on church property says the couple were
detained for more than just a simple kiss.
The church says the couple were
detained and cited for trespassing by the Salt Lake City police
because the two men “engaged in passionate kissing, groping,
profane and lewd language, and had obviously been using alcohol.”
“There was much more involved than a
simple kiss on the cheek,” the church says.
Church security guards cuffed and
detained Matt Aune, 28, and his partner Derek Jones, 25, on June 9, a
Thursday, as they walked across the Main Street Plaza, a walkway that
connects the Mormon Temple to other church sites that belong to the
church. Police cited the pair for trespassing
Mormon officials also repeated their
insistence that any couple – gay or straight – would be asked to
leave under similar circumstances.
“[T]hese men were asked to stop
engaging in behavior deemed inappropriate for any couple on the
plaza. … They were politely told that the Plaza was not the place
for such behavior and asked to stop.”
But a police report released on Tuesday
conflicts with several key church statements. The report does
support the claims that the men had been drinking and used profanity
when cuffed – assertions the men do not deny – but there is no
indication that the men were politely asked to stop being
affectionate.
The police report says, “[Guard
Walter] Nickel told both AP's … that they need to leave their
property for the behavior and that it is unwanted.” Nickel told
the police the unwanted behavior was “kissing and hugging.” The
report does not describe the men as engaging in “passionate
kissing” or “groping” as the church alleges.
“I guess they consider hugging
groping,” Aune told the Salt Lake Tribune. “Regardless of
if a kiss is on the cheek or the lips, it still is not inappropriate
– unless you are gay, according to the LDS Church.”
Jones said during a television
interview that as he was being cuffed, one of the guards said, “It's
just gross, it's just wrong.”
The incident prompted a “kiss-in”
protest Sunday attended by about 100 couples near the church plaza,
where gay and straight couples affectionately kissed and wore paper
hearts in solidarity. Organizers say they will stage a second
“kiss-in” this Sunday.
Mormon leaders say being gay is sinful,
and have encouraged their members to give their time and money to
fight gay marriage legislation. Their door knocking and donations
(reported in the millions) is often credited for tipping passage of a
gay marriage ban in California, Proposition 8.