Family wonders what is next for faithful children in same-sex marriage
(KUTV) One 7-year-old girl, is one month away from baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and her father is in a same-sex marriage, what happens now?
That's the question one gay couple is asking after the LDS church came out with a policy regarding the children of same-sex parents.
According to the policy the children with "a parent living in a same-gender relationship," can't be blessed, baptized, confirmed, ordained or recommended for a mission until they are 18-years-old.
"It's not fair to ask anybody to choose sides," said Randon Spackman, 36. Randon is married to his partner Ben Christensen, 36, and has a daughter who is turning 8-years-old next month. Spackman says she's very active in the LDS church and is excited about her baptism.
"She's been expecting to be baptized for the longest time and then all of a sudden, just a month before policy changes, and she may not be eligible anymore," said Spackman. "They are treating her differently, not because of anything she's done but because of what I've done."
Christensen is faced with the same dilemma. He has a daughter that is five and a son who is 9-years-old. "It potentially means that my 5-year-old will not be able to get baptized and that my 9-year-old son won't be able to be ordained."
Christensen and Spackman married in January. Both are returned missionaries for the church, and both married in the temple with their ex-spouses. They've left the church, but their kids are a big part of their lives, including living and staying with them often. That's why they don't believe their kids should be punished for their choices.
"Now I'm in a position, that just by nature of my existence, I'm in their way of them being able to be baptized or be ordained," said Christensen.
"She's seven, that's not fair," said Spackman.
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