Historian Greg Prince's new book traces half a century of the LDS Church’s policies and attitudes towards the LGBTQ community. He joins us to talk about their actions and the unintended consequences.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a controversial and complicated relationship with gay rights. They mobilized members to fight gay marriage, but have supported some anti-discrimination laws. They announced a policy that declared gay members apostates and then reversed it just over 3 years later. In a new book, historian Gregory Prince traces half a century of the Church’s policies and attitudes towards the LGBTQ community, and he joins us Tuesday to talk about it.

Greg Prince is an independent historian. His new book is called Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences. [Indie bookstores|Amazon]

Wednesday, May 15, Greg Prince is giving a reading at Weller Books Works at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

On Friday, May 17, Prince is also giving a reading at Benchmark Books, 3269 S Main St in Salt Lake City. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. His talk begins at 6 p.m.

NOTE: Since this show was recorded, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement voicing its opposition to the Equality Act, a Congressional bill to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more via Salt Lake Tribune.