Metro Weekly

Mormons claim gays responsible for white powder ‘terrorism,’ BB gun holes, graffiti

”It is false to conclude that yesterday’s suspicious package came from gay protesters. Overwhelmingly, gay and allied Utahns have expressed their pain, frustration and commitment to securing rights through peaceful demonstrations and marches.”

From the Utah Pride Center, a GBLT center in Salt Lake, responding to the accusations by the Mormon church and the ”Yes on 8” that gays are responsible for mailing white powder to Mormon temples in Salt Lake and Los Angeles as retaliation for their leadership role to repeal gay marriage in California. The anti-gay groups are calling the two incidents ”acts of domestic terrorism.” The FBI has determined that the substance was non-toxic. (Contra Costa Times)


”This is not democracy. This is not American. This is terrorism, for want of a better word. The gays have become everything they accused their opponents of,” added her fellow guest, Wilson Clyde. “They’re intolerant of me, of my beliefs and my way of life. They’re nothing more than extremists who are trying to intimidate and silence anyone who disagrees with them.”

Renee Scheffers, a guest at a wedding at the Salt Lake Temple in Utah which was interrupted by police sirens and officers in hazmat suits after a church worker claimed to have opened an envelope containing white power. Another nearby church reported graffiti and others allegedly reported broken windows which appeared to have been caused by a bb-gun. (Independent.co.uk)


”I feel we are being picked on. We are not the only group that supported this proposition, so why do they only blame us? Last week, thousands came here to protest. It made me sad, more than anything.”

Sister Sugiyanto, a Mormon visiting Salt Lake City, UT from Indonesia. (Independent.co.uk)

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!