Public invited to legal discussion

OGDEN -- The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden is inviting the public to send a message of love to all people on Valentine's Day by attending a discussion about legal protection against people being fired or evicted because of their sexual orientation.

On Sunday, Feb. 14, the church will hold a special worship service at 10:30 a.m., which will be followed by a town hall-style meeting shortly after noon.

"The idea is to harness love's power to end oppression and discrimination of all kinds," wrote Unitarian Universalist Church Rev. Theresa Novak in a letter to the Ogden mayor and city council.

"This is part of our national Unitarian Universalist Association's Standing on the Side of Love campaign," she wrote. "That campaign is an inclusive, multi-faith effort that emphasizes the messages of all religions based in compassion and love."

At the town hall meeting, the congregation will be partnering with Equality Utah and other local groups to discuss passing local ordinances that would provide legal protection to prevent residents and employees of Ogden from being fired from their jobs or evicted from their homes simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The church also is interested in providing hospital visitation rights to the non-married partners of individuals, states Novak in her letter.

"Ogden is an increasingly diverse and progressive city with much to offer its residents," Novak wrote. "Ogden is also composed of compassionate citizens and elected officials who want all of our residents to have the opportunity to lead full and productive lives that are not limited by fear or by discrimination."

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden is located at 705 23rd St. in Ogden. For information, call the church at (801) 394-3338.