YES, I SIGNED THE LETTER, AND HERE'S WHY

You may have heard or read about the issue storming the LDS publishing market and firing the media outlets right now. I live far away from the scene here in Maryland, and I've never worked with the publishing house involved, but because this issue has potential to tarnish all LDS authors, and the LDS community at large, I felt I needed to stake a stand.

In short, a novel that was contracted by an LDS publisher, and ready to go to print, was pulled because the author's bio included mention of his same-gender partner. The publisher knew the author was gay, and accepted that, but preferred to not have him disclose that information in his bio fearing it would offend the company's primarily LDS market.

I won't rehash the details here. Instead I'll direct you to my good friend Braden Bell's blog. Braden does work with the involved publisher and he offers a voice of compassion and justice tempered with reason.

When the public became aware of the fracas sides were taken and unkind generalities were being assailed. A letter supporting the legal rights of the author was issued by members of the LDS writing community and I agreed to sign it for a variety of reasons.

Again, Braden expresses these so well, and is so close to the issue that I'll allow his words to explain these points.

As a Church, we support traditional marriage and families. I personally support traditional marriage and families. But as a people, we are also taught compassion, love, civility, and kindness whch have been sorely lacking in so much of this debate.

As an LDS author, I believe in the law and in binding contracts. I respect the right to free speech, and the right of a publisher to choose what they will invest in and place their name on. In this instance, contracts were violated, and characters were assailed.

This is why I signed the letter.

Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)