49ners and Mormon Steve Young With Wife Vocally Backing Gay Human Rights
One of the most prominent Mormons takes a position for gay rights, that signals the tide is turning on the issue.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young made news in 2008 when he and his wife Barbara placed "No on Prop. 8" yard signs in front of their Palo Alto, California home.
The move was significant because Young is one of the most prominent Mormons in America. He is adirect descendant of Brigham Young. But other Mormons had poured $20 million into passing Prop. 8, which banned gay marriage in California, and which was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court this past June.
Barbara Young said at the time that she has a gay brother, which influenced her decision to contribute to the "No on 8" campaign, but Steve Young remained relatively silent at the time.
Now, both Youngs are being more vocal on gay rights, and have agreed to be the keynote speakers in Salt Lake City at next month's convention of gay Mormons. The group, called "Affirmation," first reported the news on its website.
Steve and Barbara Young released a statement to the Salt Lake City Tribuneconfirming they'll be keynoters at the conference, saying it is "where they hope to lend their voices to the healing work of making our families, our society and our church more welcoming places for our LGBT brothers and sisters."
And, indeed, there are signs that the church is softening its political opposition to gay rights, with church members no longer taking the lead in opposing gay marriage cases.
Still, having Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young take such a prominent role in welcoming lesbian and gay church members is bound to push the issue even farther down the field.
Hank Plante is an Emmy and Peabody-winning reporter who has spent three decades covering LGBT issues for the CBS TV stations in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Hank Plante
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