SALT LAKE CITY: Retired NFL Superstar Steve Young Speaks To Gay Mormons

Last month I reported that retired NFL Hall Of Fame inductee Steve Young had agreed to speak at the convention of Affirmation, the organization for gay Mormons. That speech took place this weekend. Gay Star News recaps:

The former athlete spoke about how his faith helped him through his studies and his sports career, offering anecdotes of inspiration for the people in attendance. '[Faith is the] fundamental fuel for the human experience. If the experience is to return to our Heavenly Father, faith is the fuel from beginning to end,' he said. Football taught him to be faithful instead of fearful, Young added. He concluded his presentation by saying: 'I am a Mormon, and I want to build bridges of understanding with my gay brothers and sisters. I consider you my friends. Let's seek to develop more love for each other wherever we can.' According to the Associated Press, Young also introduced his wife, Barb, as an LGBT ally with a gay older brother who spoke out against California's Proposition 8, the state's measure banning equal marriage. 'More and more people are opening their hearts every day,' Barb said to the group.

UTAH: Former NFL Star Steve Young To Keynote Conference For Gay Mormons

NFL Hall Of Fame inductee Steve Young and his wife will keynote the convention of Affirmation, an organization for gay Mormons.  Hank Plante reports at USA Today:

Steve and Barbara Young released a statement to the Salt Lake City Tribune confirming they'll be keynoters at the conference, saying it is "where they hope to lend their voices to the healing work of making our families, our society and our church more welcoming places for our LGBT brothers and sisters." And, indeed, there are signs that the church is softening its political opposition to gay rights, with church members no longer taking the lead in opposing gay marriage cases. Still, having Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young take such a prominent role in welcoming lesbian and gay church members is bound to push the issue even farther down the field.

Young, who is a direct descendant of Brigham Young, made news in 2008 when he and his wife placed a "No On Prop 8" sign in their front yard.

Sports Heroes Say No On 8

Basketball hero Magic Johnson and retired San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young (through his wife) have both come out against Proposition 8.

Via the No On 8 official site:

Magic Johnson, enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame after winning five NBA championships as a Los Angeles Laker, and three Most Valuable Player awards, has lent his voice to the chorus of those calling Proposition 8 wrong and unfair. In a recorded telephone call to California voters, Johnson says: "This is Magic Johnson calling to ask you to join me and Barack Obama in opposing Proposition 8. Prop 8 singles out one group of Californians to be treated differently – including members of our family, our friends, and our coworkers. That is not what California is about. So this Tuesday, vote no on Proposition 8. It is unfair and wrong. Thanks." The telephone message from Magic Johnson will reach millions of California voters in the final days, urging voters to reject this discriminatory and unfair initiative.

And while Hall Of Fame quarterback Steve Young's wife says that her husband is making no official endorsement, No On 8 yard signs have been placed in the yard of their Palo Alto home. Steve is a prominent Mormon and a direct descendant of Brigham Young. His wife, Barbara Young:

"I am very passionate about this issue and Steve is completely supportive of me and my work for equality," Barbara Young said in a statement to the Mercury News after midnight. "We both love our Church and are grateful that our Church encourages us to vote our conscience. Steve prefers not to get involved politically on any issue no matter what the cause and therefore makes no endorsement."

Last month the 49ers retired Young's number. His number was 8.