Designer Michael Manguino
Portrait session with designer, Michael Manguino.
Prop 8 Call to action: Ask IRS to revoke Mormon’s 501(c)3
by Clarknt67
Thu Nov 06, 2008 at 02:16:16 PM PST
Even as many progressives cheered and celebrated on Tuesday, I was one of many gay and lesbian Americans who felt we were watching the bus of progress leave the station without us. Gay marriage bans passed in AZ, FL and most famously in CA (proposition 8). Similarly, Arkansans apparently feel children are better off in orphanages or group homes than in the loving care of gay and lesbian parents that would seek to adopt them.
I know you worked with many GBLT invidividuals in your activism for Obama’s campaign. We donated our time, money, blood, sweat and tears to the cause. Please do not forget us. Here is one thing you can do today:
- Clarknt67’s diary :: ::
The Mormon Church’s activism in supporting Proposition 8 is well-documented (see this, and this). They are even bragging about it in the press (Desert News):
Elder L. Whitney Clayton, a member of the church’s Presidency of the Seventy who helped lead the church’s support for Proposition 8, told reporters during a press conference Wednesday that he doesn’t have a total for how much money was donated by Latter-day Saints. He did say it was “considerable and generous” and that church leaders are “grateful for the sacrifice” made by members who participated in the campaign.
These efforts should not, in my opinion, be simply forgotten and ignored.
If the Mormon Church wants to play politics, I whole-heartedly endorse their right to do so. But let us not ignore the Church and State issues this brings up. Let us not turn a blind eye on the laws they have broken. Their substantial wealth enjoys tax-exempt status predicated on following IRS code, which forbids:
substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation
Also described here:
In general, no organization, including a church, may qualify for IRC section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). An IRC section 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.
The Bush administration’s IRS has turned a blind eye to so many violations of Churches campaigning on behalf of issues and politicians. This condones this behavior, and encourages it. Let us not let it go unnoticed or uncommented on.
I found this site, Mormons Stole Our Rights, please check it out and sign their petition. They have also helpfully filled out an IRS compliant form posted in PDF form here. You can email it to eoclass@irs.gov, or better yet, sign it and mail it to the address on the form.
I’m confident the day will come when I’ll be able to marry my partner, file a joint tax return, enjoy defacto rights of inheritance and unquestioned hospital visitation, without paying lawyers to draw up a library full of documents to protect my rights and his.
I know there will be court challenges and more voter initiatives, but please, do this thing today. A wrist slap from the IRS—heck, even just a toothless investigation—could go a long way toward giving this Church in particular, and all churches pause before they play in politics again. It is their clearly stated intention to rewrite men’s laws in “God’s standards.” Let’s say no to the Christian Taliban, we left Theocracy behind.
Please find some kindness in your heart to help those of us who got left behind, who were demoted to secondary citizens on Tuesday. We are hurting, even as we cheer. We need your voices and your help.
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