Mormon gay-rights advocate facing excommunication

Salt Lake City (AP) — A well-known Mormon gay-rights advocate faces excommunication as he meets with a regional church leader discuss his case.

John Dehlin also has operated a website for years that provides a forum for church members questioning their faith. He expects to find out today if he'll face a disciplinary hearing or be exonerated.

His meeting comes six days after Kate Kelly, the founder of a prominent Mormon women's group, was excommunicated in a case that sent ripples throughout the country. Kelly is appealing that ruling.

Dehlin, in a letter from his church leader in Logan, Utah, was told in early June to resign as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or face a disciplinary committee. But the leader later agreed to meet with him today, and expressed a "desire for de-escalation" of the conflict.

The letter said church leaders are deeply concerned about Dehlin's recent comments about no longer believing fundamental teachings of the faith.

Dehlin, although heterosexual, is an LGBT rights activist.

by Brady McCombs, Associated Press

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – June 29, 2014 @ 11:40am