The group Mormons Building Bridges plans to attend the opening of theNorman Rockwell exhibit at the LDS Church Museum this afternoon. The paintings on display showcase Rockwell’s relationship with the Boy Scouts of America.
Mormons Building Bridges champions the inclusion of gays and lesbians within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Spokesperson Erika Munson says the group sees the Boy Scouts’ recent decision to allow gay youth to participate in scouting is a positive step. She’s hoping to talk to other visitors about the change in policy.
“We’re just gonna be there and we want people to enjoy the exhibit," Munson tells KUER. "So we’re gonna be there with our t-shirts on and anybody that would like to talk to us about it, y’know, we’re there and is welcome to. But we don’t want to get in the way of anybody enjoying the exhibit.”
Munson says members of her group will also plan on visiting the church museum at other times while the Rockwell paintings are on display. Hundreds of people marched under the banner of Mormons Building Bridges in Salt Lake City’s Pride Parade the last two years. In May, leaders of the Boys Scouts of America National Council voted to allow gay youth membership in the organization. But the BSA decided to retain its ban on gay adult volunteers.
