SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Latest on a philanthropist stepping down from a group that gay rights groups have criticized (all times local):
5:15 p.m.
A conservative organization is defending itself after a board member resigned amid criticism that the organization promotes anti-LGBT rhetoric and legislation.
The World Congress of Families said in a statement Tuesday that it works to protect and promote families worldwide. The organization also called recent board member Lynette Nielsen Gay a great humanitarian.
Gay said this week that she was leaving the group because she supports the right of personal choice for all individuals and doesn’t want her values to be misinterpreted.
The University of Utah removed references to Gay’s work with the group as part of an announcement that she’d receive an honorary degree. The school says it removed the references because the organizations’ agendas do not reflect the school’s values.
Gay will receive an honorary degree at the school’s commencement Thursday.
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10:10 a.m.
A philanthropist being honored by the University of Utah is stepping down from an organization that gay rights groups say has promoted anti-LGBT rhetoric and legislation.
Lynette Nielsen Gay says in a statement that she’s leaving the board of the World Congress of Families because she supports the right of personal choice for all individuals and doesn’t want her values to be misinterpreted.
Gay said in a statement Monday that she had originally joined the group because she believes they help families worldwide.
The University of Utah removed references to Gay’s work with the group and another organization after announcing she’d receive an honorary degree. She’ll receive it at the school’s commencement Thursday.
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