A large crowd of gay-marriage supporters gathered outside a Mormon temple in New York Wednesday to protest the church's endorsement of Proposition 8, the same-sex marriage ban in California.

In what is the largest protest against Prop. 8 outside of Califoria so far, thousands of people gathered outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple, carrying signs reading "Love not H8" and "Did you cast a ballot or a stone?"

Demonstrators chanted "Shame on you!" outside the temple, referring to the fact that leaders of the church had encouraged members to support and actively work for the passage of Proposition 8.

"I'm fed up and disgusted with religious institutions taking political stances and calling them moral when it's nothing but politics," said Dennis Williams, 36. "Meanwhile they enjoy tax-free status while trying to deny me rights that should be mine at the state and federal level."

Church spokesman Michael Otterson said that while citizens have the right to protest, he was "puzzled" and "disturbed" by the gathering since the majority of California's voters had approved the amendment.

"This was a very broad-based coalition that defended traditional marriage in a free and democratic election," Otterson said, referring to the numerous religious and social conservative groups that sponsored Proposition 8.

An estimated 50% to 70% of the funding for the Yes on 8 campaign came from the Mormon church.

Last update: 11-13-2008 10:46