Barbara Young, who has said her older brother is gay, has donated nearly $50,000 to defeat Proposition 8, which would outlaw same-sex marriage in California.
The Youngs are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has donated to the "Yes on 8" effort and has encouraged active campaigning by California Mormons in support of the proposition.
Some Latter-day Saints in California who do not support the initiative have reported feeling ostracized by other members of their congregations, although L. Clayton Whitney of the LDS Seventy, who oversees the church's efforts regarding the ballot measure, has said Mormons are free to disagree on the issue without facing sanctions. "We love them and bear them no ill will," he said.
Barbara Young did not immediately return a telephone message left Monday by The Tribune, but in a statement to the Mercury News of San Jose, Calif., said she is passionate about the issue and her husband "is completely supportive of me and my work for equality."
"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."
In a statement to KSL Channel 5 in Salt Lake City, Steve Young reiterated his lack of involvement in the campaign.
"Barb and I love each other very much. It is that love of each other and the Savior that helps us come to the decisions we do," according to the statement. "For Barb, who has a remarkable and enviable compassion for others, those political activities are far more public than mine. Those who know me know I chose long ago not to be publicly active in the political process. I do have strong opinions. I do vote and will vote on Tuesday, but those matters are private."
