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Rally Slams 'No Kissing' Rule in Mormon Plaza

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 12, 2009 4:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – Gay and straight protesters covered each other in kisses today outside Salt Lake City’s Mormon Temple, USA Today reports. The rally—inspired by a gay couple who were handcuffed and cited Friday for smooching on church property—was organized to condemn the Mormon ban on "offensive, indecent, obscene, lewd or disorderly speech, dress or conduct.”

A call on social media sites this weekend urged supporters to show up wearing paper hearts and partake in “gentle” displays of affection. The kiss-happy protesters stayed just outside the Main Street Plaza, which is private church property. Municipal officials transferred it to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a 2003 land swap.

President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thomas Monson kisses his wife at a Mormon conference, April 5, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thomas Monson kisses his wife at a Mormon conference, April 5, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah.   (Getty Images)
Two protesters kiss as two more enter the Mormon owned Main Street Plaza July 12, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Two protesters kiss as two more enter the Mormon owned Main Street Plaza July 12, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.   (Getty Images)
The 2008 and 2009, top, Men on a Mission calendars are pictured in front of the Mormon Temple on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in Salt Lake City.
The 2008 and 2009, top, "Men on a Mission" calendars are pictured in front of the Mormon Temple on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
A couple lies on the grass in front of the Salt Lake Mormon Temple on March 31, 2007 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A couple lies on the grass in front of the Salt Lake Mormon Temple on March 31, 2007 in Salt Lake City, Utah.   (Getty Images)
The Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.   (Shutterstock)
This Nov. 7, 2008 file photo shows people gathering before marching on the Mormon Temple in protest of California's anti-gay marriage ballot initiative Proposition 8, in Salt Lake City.
This Nov. 7, 2008 file photo shows people gathering before marching on the Mormon Temple in protest of California's anti-gay marriage ballot initiative Proposition 8, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac,File)
Gordon B. Hinckley, the 97-year-old president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves as he is driven past the Mormon Temple during the Days of '47 parade.
Gordon B. Hinckley, the 97-year-old president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, waves as he is driven past the Mormon Temple during the Days of '47 parade.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
The sun sets behind the Mormon Temple, the centerpiece of Temple Square, in this April 27, 2006, file photo, in Salt Lake City.
The sun sets behind the Mormon Temple, the centerpiece of Temple Square, in this April 27, 2006, file photo, in Salt Lake City.   (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
kokuaguy
Jul 13, 2009 6:38 AM CDT
Thanks to deebs I now know the meaning of non-sequitur: http://www.merriam-webster.com...
brawne
Jul 13, 2009 4:40 AM CDT
Your comment would be so much cooler if you knew the meaning of non sequitur.
brawne
Jul 13, 2009 4:23 AM CDT
I agree that the history of Christianity and Islam is pretty violent. But the Muslims do get some points for saving Aristotle and Plato.

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