Utah Common Values

[FMCoug]

Did anybody else get a flyer from these guys at the Utah game? They were BYU rosters I believe.

http://utahcommonvalues.org/

I was surprised this hadn't come up on CUF yet.

[TripletDaddy]

You are correct. They were handing out the rosters before the game. Both weeks they have camped out near the chevron intersection or by the cougar.

I thought their blurb on the roster was interesting...claiming to be "progressive." then I went to their site and couldn't find any evidence of "progressive" mormonism. In fact, the focus on the constitution and families made me think that they are actually fundy, not progressive.

One of the reasons for lack of buzz might be because their website seems to say very little, if anything, that is worth discussing again.

[FMCoug]

You are correct. They were handing out the rosters before the game. Both weeks they have camped out near the chevron intersection or by the cougar.

I thought their blurb on the roster was interesting...claiming to be "progressive." then I went to their site and couldn't find any evidence of "progressive" mormonism. In fact, the focus on the constitution and families made me think that they are actually fundy, not progressive.

One of the reasons for lack of buzz might be because their website seems to say very little, if anything, that is worth discussing again.

Yeah the site was not at all what I was expecting. Perhaps what they are trying to get at is "think for yourself" vs. what we consider progressive Mormonism?

[myboynoah]

I have no idea what that pledge means. Why don't they just come out and say what they are trying to say instead of hiding behind generalities?

[DU Ute]

I have no idea what that pledge means. Why don't they just come out and say what they are trying to say instead of hiding behind generalities?

It looks like they are trying to trick people into supporting the Democrats. The Family and Constitution talk is about respecting all types of families and suggesting that the Constitution is a fluid, living document. I don't blame them for acting sneaky, you can't just come out and use the D-word in the UC and expect to get anywhere.

[CardiacCoug]

You are correct. They were handing out the rosters before the game. Both weeks they have camped out near the chevron intersection or by the cougar.

I thought their blurb on the roster was interesting...claiming to be "progressive." then I went to their site and couldn't find any evidence of "progressive" mormonism. In fact, the focus on the constitution and families made me think that they are actually fundy, not progressive.

There is one guy on the site who claims to have done "outreach to the LGBT community."

He feels like his religion emphasizes "acceptance."

So I'd say these are some pretty radically progressive Mormons by Utah County standards.

[pellegrino]

I have no idea what that pledge means. Why don't they just come out and say what they are trying to say instead of hiding behind generalities?

Read them closer. There are a lot of code words in there like "diversity" and "stewardship for the natural world". Plus, look at #1. If they were a fundy group talking about the constitution they wouldn't hesitate to use the word "inspired" to describe the founders. Instead they call them "wise". They're Democrats trying to make headway in the UC, for that I applaud them.

[TripletDaddy]

Read them closer. There are a lot of code words in there like "diversity" and "stewardship for the natural world". Plus, look at #1. If they were a fundy group talking about the constitution they wouldn't hesitate to use the word "inspired" to describe the founders. Instead they call them "wise". They're Democrats trying to make headway in the UC, for that I applaud them.

Whoa! I went back to look at the site this morning. When I first checked out the site after the Utah game, there were no bios or personal stories. It was mostly pictures, that strange pledge form, and a few other cryptic quotes.

Reading those 3 bios this morning sheds new light. I would agree with your assessment. The verbiage is crafty. There is an obvious appeal to authority with the Mission President. I also noticed that the younger guy was asked about his decision to "remain" a member as an adult.

Ultimately, I think myboynoah is right. What is it that they are trying to say here that is fundamentally different than other UC democrats? What is the purpose of this group?

[Mr. Mcgibblets]

I kind of know one of the guys. He is liberal (I'm not sure how liberal) and outspoken on gay rights. He has written a book of LGBTQ issues within Mormonism and mass-mailed it to people in his law school.

Nice guy I think, but very outspoken which I have heard rubbed some people the wrong way.

When the attorney who argued the prop 8 case went to BYU Law School a year or two ago to speak, this same student was one of the few who really asked tough questions. I thought he asked good questions, but I know it pissed off quite a few other students who found it "disrespectful."

[wuapinmon]

LGBTQ

The continued addition of letters to that acronym makes me smile. Talk about acceptance!

[myboynoah]

The continued addition of letters to that acronym makes me smile. Talk about acceptance!

I'm not at all up with the times. What is the "Q"? Quazi? Quite? Quiet?

[TripletDaddy]

I'm not at all up with the times. What is the "Q"? Quazi? Quite? Quiet?

Queer, myboynoah. It means queer.

[myboynoah]

Queer, myboynoah. It means queer.

Thank you. So is that a new sexual orientation not covered under the previously stated orientations?

I'm just not keeping up.

[TripletDaddy]

Thank you. So is that a new sexual orientation not covered under the previously stated orientations?

I'm just not keeping up.

Think of the Q as "undecided."

It is generally GLBT, though, which is why your were thrown off.

In a traditional sense, queer seems to be a pejorative that was deliberately co-opted by homosexuals and transformed into non-threatening self-descriptor. It is not uncommon for gays to refer to themselves as queers.

[wuapinmon]

Think of the Q as "undecided."

It is generally GLBT, though, which is why your were thrown off.

In a traditional sense, queer seems to be a pejorative that was deliberately co-opted by homosexuals and transformed into non-threatening self-descriptor. It is not uncommon for gays to refer to themselves as queers.

Queer is one of the best words in the English language. One syllable is packed with some much meaning. It's almost impossible to translate that word fully into another language. It doesn't mean strange. It means abnormal, but not too much--perplexing off just a little--enough to know, to notice, but only on close observation.

I'm glad to see it finding renewed usage. It suffered for a season from a perjorative connotation that is on the wane.