Gay marriage backers protest Oakland Mormons

(10-26) 14:40 PDT OAKLAND -- About 50 protesters came to the Mormon Temple in Oakland this morning to speak out against the religious group's support for an anti-gay marriage ballot measure.

Holding signs that read "No to Mormon Bigots" and "tax church property and investments," the protesters said they'd come to make a statement.

"I can't believe that a religious group that preaches truth and love is asking their members to campaign and donate to take away my civil rights," said Jill Shearer, 40, of Oakland. Shearer grew up in San Ramon and was raised Mormon. When she came out as a lesbian, she said her family still kept her close.

"My family decided that they loved me and I was worth more than any religious dogma," said Shearer, who was at the temple a month ago for her father's funeral. "I have an awesome family."

Several Mormons said at the temple this morning that the definition of "marriage" is sacred.

"They have their right to make their cause known, just like the Yes on 8 folks do," said Rand King, 60, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who is a member of the Protect Marriage Coalition. "They obviously want to portray us as haters of them. We're not at all. We just want to protect traditional marriage."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/26/BAP113OIRD.DTL&tsp=1

It said the protest was "this morning" and is dated 10/26. That would be Sunday morning...and the Oakland Temple, as well as all temples are closed on Sundays. I wonder who was there to see the protest besides the media?

Ya I did hear that Saturday was their big day, but there were a lot of ppl there today too. Either way, the story has hit the newspapers and the internet. See my blog today full of pictures. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/26/201658/52/693/643070

and the those who oppose gay marriage are not protecting marriage, because there is no threat to 'traditional marriage. They are just hiding behind their 'religion' in order to get away with being bigots.

HOW gay marriage harms or affects in any way straight marriage. I have a gay couple as clients who got married this year, and haven't had anybody come in and say those horrible gays ruined their marriage.

What's the mechanism of action, as we would ask in vetspeak?

Whose version?

At a rally someone should hold up a sign of Mr. Smith & his wives with the caption...

"Mormons Support Traditional Marriage! 1 Man. 6 Women."

I'm sure that'd go over big.

Here http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/26/201658/52/693/643070