Petition opposing WSU center named for LDS leader

FILE - Elder Boyd K. Packer, acting President of The Quorum of The Twelve Apostles of the Mormon Church, speaks to a congregation during the first session of the 165th Semi-Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Saturday, Sept. 30, 1995 in Salt Lake City.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A Utah gay-rights organization has started a petition to protest the naming of a <a href=”http://www.weber.edu/WSUToday/050113PackerCenter.html” target=”_blank”>new Weber State University center</a> after a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports the Utah Stonewall Democrats sent a letter last week to the school’s board of trustees asking them not to name the center after apostle Boyd K. Packer, who is second in line for the Mormon church presidency.

Packer’s comments in the past have drawn backlash, including an address in 2010 when he denounced homosexual attraction as unnatural and immoral.

The group says Packer’s comments over the years contrast the goals the university should have in regards to modern families.

A university spokesman says they do not plan to reconsider the name.

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