OGDEN -- Members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden are using Valentine's Day to send a message of love to all people, regardless of their beliefs, backgrounds or preferences.
On Sunday, the church will hold a special worship service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a noon town-hall style meeting in which participants will rally in support of city laws and ordinances banning employment or housing discrimination of individuals, especially based on issues of sexuality or gender identification.
"Utah is a state where you can be fired from your job or evicted from your home simply because of your sexual orientation or gender identity," said the Rev. Theresa Novak in a statement about the event. "Knowing this, we feel our congregation must do more than just preach to the usual choir within our sanctuary walls."
Sunday's event, like others around the country, is called Reimagining Valentine's Day.
It's part of an ongoing effort of the national church, called the "Standing on the Side of Love" campaign.
Among those speaking at the event are Brandie Balkin, executive director of Equality Utah; Susan Van Hooser, Ogden City Council member; Jacob Whipple, Salt Lake City area activist; Allison Black, president of Ogden Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays and an outspoken Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mother; and Judi Amsel, president of Congregation B'rith Sholem.
In addition, all those present will have an opportunity to address the crowd during an open mic time.
Novak said around 100 similar events are planned for Sunday throughout the country. But because her church's event is in Utah, the minister said, it has caught the attention of her national affiliates who were publicizing it to a number of media outlets, including some outside of the state.
"It is very timely, given the recent decisions at the state level and with Gov. Herbert saying that these issues should be handled at the local level," she said.
Novak has spoken to Utah lawmakers repeatedly about these issues.
"The state Legislature is doing nothing, and apparently they don't want the cities to do anything, either," she told members of Ogden's Interfaith Works group Wednesday. "In a state so concerned about the federal government telling them what to do, I don't think they should be telling the cities what to do."
Novak's group has invited Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey and members of the city council to attend the town-hall style meeting.
As of Thursday, Novak said Van Hooser was the only council member who had indicated she would attend.
The minister hopes the meeting will lead to city officials taking action.
"I am so proud to be serving as the minister of my 110-member congregation in Ogden, Utah," Novak said. "We are a fairly small but growing church, and we have big dreams.
"We imagine a day where no one is judged by their gender identity or oppressed because of their sexual orientation. We understand love to be a verb, an act that transcends fear and extends beyond individuals to embrace a community."
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden is at 705 23rd St., Ogden.
For more information about the meeting or the church, call (801) 394-3338.
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