Hundreds of Mormon Moms Rally Against Prop. 8 in Salt Lake City

More than 600 Mormon moms, their gay sons and daughters, and allies rallied against Proposition 8 in Salt Lake City on Sunday -- a sharp contrast to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' effort to pass the California ballot measure.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the candlelight vigil was held in the city's Library Square and was organized by mothers disappointed in the church's muscular support of Prop. 8, which would eliminate the right of gay people to marry. The Mormon church has donated millions of dollars to the Yes on 8 campaign.

"This is what happens when people in California say mean things about our gay kids. Mothers come out of the closet," Millie Watts, one of the organizers, said at the event, according to the Tribune. Watts told the paper that she feels "disappointment and betrayal" at her church's involvement in Prop. 8.

Linda Barney, another mom who spoke at the rally, told the Tribune that her heart "reaches out to young Californians, teens who are not out of the closet who are alone...listening to hateful [rhetoric]," adding, "They need to hear from us. They need to know there are people with loving hearts."

The Salt Lake City event was one of several rallies that occurred on Sunday in support of, or in opposition to, Prop. 8. (The Advocate)