Watch: Mormon couple defies church to back same-sex marriage in ad campaign
A Mormon couple has featured in a political advertising campaign in favour of same-sex marriage, against the teachings of their church.
At the LDS church’s spring conference on Saturday, attended by over 100,000 people, senior members had claimed that God would never ‘redefine’ the concept of marriage by allowing same-sex couples.
Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve said that marriage was intended to be “the ideal setting for children to be born, reared and nurtured”, and should not be open to same-sex couples.
However, church members William and Marge Bradshaw have defied that proclamation, by starring in a pro-equal marriage advert.
The Salt Lake City couple, both former LDS missionaries, have 5 children and 18 grandchildren, including a gay son, Brad.
They say in the ad: “When Brad told us he was gay, both of us put our arms around our son and said ‘we love you, and that’s never going to change’.
“A marriage is a bond between two people based in love and commitment.
“All gay and lesbian people deserve to have the rights and the privileges that we have.”
The adverts, which premiered on television in Utah yesterday, have been produced by Utah Unites for Marriage, a group that includes Salt Lake City mayor Ralph Becker.
Same-sex marriage was briefly legalised in the state last year, and couples began to marry.
However, the ban was reinstated just days later, pending a court appeal.
The appeals court will begin to hear arguments from opponents on Thursday, however the case is likely to eventually head to the Supreme Court.
