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The LDS Church's move to label gay marriage as apostasy came the same week Salt Lake City appeared to have elected its first openly gay mayor.

Jackie Biskupski holds a 1,450-vote lead over Mayor Ralph Becker with the official canvass slated for Nov. 17.

She weighed in Friday on the new policy by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That policy also blocks children of gay parents from naming blessings, baptisms and missions without the approval of the faith's ruling First Presidency.

"The LDS Church is entitled to live in its doctrine and to make policy decisions that reflect the teachings of their faith," she said in a statement. "But I hold onto hope that a move in this direction will not last long."

Biskupski, who is not Mormon, has an adopted son, Archie, who is 5. Since she has previously cohabitated with a woman, the new church policy would apply to her.

"As a mother of a young son — who will grow up in this community — I want him to feel welcome wherever he goes and judged based on the content of his character, not on his mother's sexual orientation," she said. "My son will make many important decisions in his life, and if he chose to become a member of the LDS Church, I would support his choice, and I would hope he could find acceptance in his faith community."

Biskupski, a former state lawmaker, credited the LDS Church for promoting strong families and for being willing to work with the gay community on issues such as nondiscrimination policies at Salt Lake City Hall and Utah's Capitol.

"Our community has also come so far in the last year to bridge the gaps between us," she said, "that this new policy feels confusing to many."