- Jan 14, 2013
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There is hope for a sliver of conservatives, but at least this was nice to read. Unfortunately I doubt it's going to save this country, but at least some good news
www.nbcnews.com
"Jeff Green, a billionaire thought to be the richest person from Utah, resigned from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, writing in a letter to the church's president that he believes the institution has "hindered global progress in women’s rights, civil rights and racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights," according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Green, the chairman and CEO of The Trade Desk, a technology marketing company, informally left the Mormon church, as the LDS church is commonly called, a decade ago. But in a letter Monday to church President Russell Nelson, he officially resigned and requested the removal of his records, The Tribune reported.
Neither Green nor the church have responded to requests for comment about the letter.
Green said in his letter that most of the church's members are "good people trying to do right" but that he believes "the church is actively and currently doing harm in the world."
“The church leadership is not honest about its history, its finances, and its advocacy,” he wrote, according to The Tribune.
Green wrote that he will donate $600,000 to the LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Utah as the first major donation from his family foundation's giving arm, Dataphilanthropy. According to The Tribune, he added that almost half of the money will go to a new scholarship program for LGBTQ students in Utah, including those who "may need or want to leave" his alma mater, Brigham Young University, which is sponsored by the church.
“We made this investment sizable and publicly to send a message that Equality Utah isn’t going anywhere,” Green wrote, adding that he hopes the donation is the first of many.
A spokesperson for Brigham Young University has not responded to a request for comment.
Executive Director Troy Williams said Equality Utah is "incredibly grateful for Jeff’s generosity and support."
"In Utah, we have made enormous strides forward toward LGBTQ equality," he said in an email. "The two most important elements of our success has been the support of allies and the willingness of state and religious leaders to engage with us. We don’t always agree, but great things happen when we seek common ground. Jeff’s financial support will ensure that we will remain a prominent force in Utah politics for years to come."

Utah billionaire leaves Mormon church, donates $600,000 to LGBTQ group
Businessman Jeff Green wrote in a letter that the church "is actively and currently doing harm in the world," including to LGBTQ rights.

"Jeff Green, a billionaire thought to be the richest person from Utah, resigned from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, writing in a letter to the church's president that he believes the institution has "hindered global progress in women’s rights, civil rights and racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights," according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Green, the chairman and CEO of The Trade Desk, a technology marketing company, informally left the Mormon church, as the LDS church is commonly called, a decade ago. But in a letter Monday to church President Russell Nelson, he officially resigned and requested the removal of his records, The Tribune reported.
Neither Green nor the church have responded to requests for comment about the letter.
Green said in his letter that most of the church's members are "good people trying to do right" but that he believes "the church is actively and currently doing harm in the world."
“The church leadership is not honest about its history, its finances, and its advocacy,” he wrote, according to The Tribune.
Green wrote that he will donate $600,000 to the LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Utah as the first major donation from his family foundation's giving arm, Dataphilanthropy. According to The Tribune, he added that almost half of the money will go to a new scholarship program for LGBTQ students in Utah, including those who "may need or want to leave" his alma mater, Brigham Young University, which is sponsored by the church.
“We made this investment sizable and publicly to send a message that Equality Utah isn’t going anywhere,” Green wrote, adding that he hopes the donation is the first of many.
A spokesperson for Brigham Young University has not responded to a request for comment.
Executive Director Troy Williams said Equality Utah is "incredibly grateful for Jeff’s generosity and support."
"In Utah, we have made enormous strides forward toward LGBTQ equality," he said in an email. "The two most important elements of our success has been the support of allies and the willingness of state and religious leaders to engage with us. We don’t always agree, but great things happen when we seek common ground. Jeff’s financial support will ensure that we will remain a prominent force in Utah politics for years to come."