Group encourages LDS women to wear pants to church
SALT LAKE CITY — She calls herself a Mormon feminist and wants equality in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Stephanie Lauritezen started a group on Facebook, asking sisters around the world to wear pants to church on Sunday.
“We’re doing this not because we think women have to wear pants or should wear pants but that women can wear pants,” said Lauritezen who founded the group “All Enlisted” just a few days ago.
The event on Facebook “Wear Pants to Church Day” already has the support of hundreds of people, but not everyone is on the same page.
“I don’t have anything against what they’re trying to do, but I would not join them,” says Tobi Cantwell, who is LDS.
Kaitlyn Hedges, a young LDS woman says, “I’ve always been taught to wear a dress or a skirt, or something that’s more formal and my parents always said wear your Sunday best.”
While some women wear pants to church, most don’t consider it proper. Lauritezen said that needs to change along with the role females play in The LDS Church.
“The gender norms that exist within the church aren’t necessarily doctrinal gender norms but they’re just cultural and so we do want to challenge that a little bit and say there’s others way to be Mormon,” said Lauritezen. “I think we need to go towards equality. I think that’s where we need to be going. I think that’s where we are going and All Enlisted is a way to keep that movement going.”
Lauritezen said this is about starting a dialogue and says this is just the beginning to something bigger. “Wear Pants to Church Day” is Sunday, December 16th.
The LDS Church released a statement saying in part:
“Generally church members are encouraged to wear their best clothing as a sign of respect for the Savior, but we don’t counsel people beyond that.
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
