"I’ll defend the church and anybody who doesn’t like it doesn’t have to come."

[BigPiney]

Masks are not allowed. Not sure about dressing up as the other sex.

[falafel]

I think it's sad that a little spiderman girl or JL's freaky, closeted, cross-dressing bishop friend wouldn't be welcomed at a ward's trunk or treat.

Except for the cross dressing bishop, I think a maskless spiderman girl wouldn't even be noticed at a trunk or treat.

[TripletDaddy]

Maybe so for their ward, but in all the wards I have been in, nobody would care about a girl Harry Potter even if it was announced "no cross dressing".

Right. My guess is that the rule is simply in place to ensure that there is no appearance of homosexuality at ward activities. The Bishop could have easily clarified that to the press but instead chose the defensive route. Weird.

[wuapinmon]

The old CHOI specifically forbade:

Cross-dressing
Masks
Dressing like Jesus, even in ward/stake pageant's if someone played Jesus it could only be direct quotes from the scriptures.

Oh, and

[falafel]

Our ward here in Chicago mentioned both the prohibitions against masks and cross-dressing and stated that it was church-wide policy.

Has anyone looked at the most recent CHOI on this issue? Peggy says one thing, but should we be taking her word for it?

Is this the appropriate section?

13.6.25 Unapproved Activities

Church units may not sponsor the following activities. Leaders, parents, and others who plan or participate in Church activities should be aware of these restrictions.

1. Activities that have a high risk of injury or illness or that require unusual expense or travel (see 13.6.20 and 13.6.24).
2. Exercise programs that have music, lyrics, dress, or other elements that are not in harmony with Church standards.
3. Activities that involve wearing masks, except in dramatic productions.
4. Debutante balls, coming-out parties, or activities that include selecting kings and queens.
5. Any other activities that are not in harmony with the guidelines in this chapter.

Here are some other sections that might apply

13.2 Planning Activities

13.2.4 Standards

Church activities should follow and teach Church standards. They should provide a wholesome environment where participants can develop friendships with others who have similar beliefs and standards. Activities should be uplifting and emphasize things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” (Articles of Faith 1:13). Activities are not to include anything that is immoral or suggestive or that makes evil appear acceptable and normal. Leaders ensure that any entertainment is in keeping with the teachings of the Savior.

Dress and grooming should be modest, tasteful [Lebowski's Bishop! ], and appropriate for the activity. The bishopric or stake presidency determines the dress standards for activities. Leaders who plan an activity may recommend dress standards that are consistent with gospel principles.

[Clark Addison]

My daughters have gone as male Harry Potter characters to our ward TorT in the past, with no negative repercussions, but maybe we are just more progressive here down south.

Also, when I was about 10 years old I dressed as a girl for Halloween. This was in Chicago.

[RobinFinderson]

No masks. No cross dressing. Those were the rules of Halloween in the ward/stake of my youth.

[DU Ute]

Has anyone looked at the most recent CHOI on this issue? Peggy says one thing, but should we be taking her word for it?

Is this the appropriate section?



Here are some other sections that might apply

Maybe they are going by the section that forbids activities selecting kings and queens?

[TripletDaddy]

The old CHOI specifically forbade:

Cross-dressing
Masks
Dressing like Jesus, even in ward/stake pageant's if someone played Jesus it could only be direct quotes from the scriptures.

Oh, and

There was no prohibition on dressing like Jesus that I can recall. The prohibition was on staying in costume afterwards and taking pictures, cast photos, etc. Also a prohibition on "singing and dancing" and any spoken dialogue had to be limited to quotes from scriptures.

[TripletDaddy]

activities that include selecting kings and queens.

No more temple night for me!

[Pheidippides]

Liveposting from my ward trunk or treat. At least one couple cross-dressed. Nobody cares, up to and including the stake president.

[SeattleUte]

Don't have time to review the thread right now. Has anyone noted the double entendre in "doesn't have to come"?

[RobinFinderson]

Don't have time to review the thread right now. Has anyone noted the double entendre in "doesn't have to come"?

I would just like to thank you. Interacting with the version of yourself that you present on the internet has made my life a little bit better.

[BlueHair]

We went to the trunk or treat and there was a teenage boy dressed as Sue Sylvester from Glee. No problem.

[marsupial]

We went to the trunk or treat and there was a teenage boy dressed as Sue Sylvester from Glee. No problem.

That's actually pretty funny.