The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) has officially altered its position
on celibate gay members but isn't budging on transgender folks.
In its latest iteration of the Church
Handbook of Instructions, the Utah-based church strikes out language
that rejected celibate gay members, the Salt Lake Tribune
reported.
The 2006 edition of the handbook called
upon gay members to repent their “homosexual thoughts or feelings.”
The new edition says celibate gay Mormons should be allowed to
participate fully in the church and to have “callings,” or church
assignments.
Also dropped is the previous statement
that gay unions “distort loving relationships.” And the handbook
no longer suggests that gay members “may need professional
counseling … in harmony with gospel principles.”
But the church's policy on transgender
people is not expected to change. The Mormon Church currently
forbids anyone who has altered their sex from having callings or holding
a leadership position in the church.
“Is this good? Yes,” wrote
blogger and activist Eric Ethington. “Is it good enough? Not
even close. I give them credit for improving, but they are still
decades behind and the pressure will not be let up until they
recognize the value of all human life, no matter what sexual
orientation, gender, race or gender identity.”
In October, Ethington
spearheaded a protest against LDS leader Boyd K. Packer for railing
against gay marriage and rejecting the notion that being gay is
inborn.