Protest At Mormon Temple

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, whose religion is called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said at the temple this morning that they want gays and lesbians to have as many rights as married couples, but 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.”

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