Jeff Green, a billionaire who is thought to be the wealthiest person in Utah has resigned from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a letter to the church’s president, Jeff Green said that the church has slowed global progress in women’s rights, civil rights, and racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. Good people try to do the right thing, he says but Green thinks the church is “actively and currently doing harm in the world” in his letter. He said that the church’s leaders don’t tell the truth about its history, finances, and advocacy.
Equality Utah is a group that helps people who LGBTQ+. Green wrote that he will give $600,000 to the group as the first big donation from his family foundation.
For example, he said that almost half of the money will go toward a new scholarship program for LGBTQ+ students in Utah. This includes students at Brigham Young University, which is being sponsored by the church. Green: ” We made this investment sizable and publicly to send a message that Equality Utah isn’t going anywhere.” He says he hopes this is the start of many more donations, and that this one will be the first. A spokesperson for Brigham Young University hasn’t answered a question about the school. Troy Williams, the executive director of Equality Utah, said that the group is “incredibly grateful” for Jeff’s generosity and help.
In an email the Executive Director of Equality Utah said: ” In Utah, we have made enormous strides forward toward LGBTQ+ equality.”
LDS church members make up 62% of Utah’s residents and 86% of its state legislators.
This group opposes gay marriage and the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in housing, jobs, and jury service. Despite these problems, Equality Utah has been able to work with church leaders and the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass important legislation.
Brigham Young University was named in a class-action lawsuit in March against the Education Department. The lawsuit claims that allowing religiously affiliated schools that get federal funds to discriminate against LGBTQ+ students because of a Title IX exemption is unconstitutional.
A spokesperson for BYU said: ” Our goal is that all our students be treated with respect, dignity and love”
