Windy Sydney

Thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers, SigningForSomething.org is online and ready to go. I can't say enough about the people who took time out of their busy lives to put this together, the work I did compared to their hard work isn't even comparable. They worked harder, they were more organized, and they didn't let the setbacks get them down.

SigningForSomething.org is a place where you can go and share your thoughts about the Mormon Church's recent efforts to ban gay marriage in California. Many of you know that the church asked Mormon Bishops to read a letter from the first presidency in all wards, asking it's members to push for the ban of gay marriage. Those who are among the committee of SigningForSomething.org believe that church officials over-stepped their bounds by asking this of it's members.

The issue of gay marriage is a heated debate. I have always been very vocal about equal rights for everyone in the United States of America, and I will stay vocal.

My point is this...

The church can believe whatever it wants. The people in the church can believe what they want... whether it's agreeing with the church, or disagreeing with the church about this political issue. If you think gay marriage is bad, and it's a big old sin... fine. That is your right as an American. Thing is, you don't have the right to tell other people what their rights should be. You shouldn't tell other people what to think or believe if they are not in your church. Forcing your beliefs on people is wrong... and that is exactly what the Mormon Church is doing.

If you go to the website, you can write a personal letter to leaders of the Mormon Church. There are helpful hints and examples of things you can use while writing your letter, but whatever you say is fine.

The idea originally started as a mass resignation effort to take place on July 24th. This has changed. We decided that instead of *just* a resignation effort (which is still something you are more than welcome to do if you feel it) it would be a place to send a letter of complaint. These letters of complaint can come from anyone. People who have never been in the church, people who have already resigned, people who are still believing the Mormon religion but are against the church's efforts, and those like me who feel this is the final straw and plan on resigning.

For those who want to resign (there is no pressure to do so... it is not necessary) the date has been changed to November 4th. This will give us more time to be organized, make sure all letters of resignation and complaint are valid, as well as give us time to get the word out. If you or any of your friends and family members are interested in letting the LDS leadership know they crossed the line, please go to SigningForSomething.org and share your letter. All letters will show on the website for other people to read. Your voice can, and will be heard.

I wish to thank everyone involved who helped my small, spur-of-the-moment idea turn into such a force. We now have the ability to ban together and make a difference. We have the ability to tell other people that basic rights belong to everyone, and there is no excuse to ban a group of people from marriage simply because of who they happen to fall in love with.

Thank you again everyone,
Andee