In what can be called a modern-day fairytale twist, a Utah billionaire has abruptly left the Mormon church and announced he plans on donating 90 percent of his estimated $5 billion-dollar fortune. Jeff Green, C.E.O. of Trade Desk, has donated $1 million to LGBTQ organization Equality Utah.
Utah billionaire leaves Mormon church, donates $1 million to LGBTQ organization
Mr. Green, who runs an advertising technology firm and is one of the wealthiest people from Utah, did not say what caused him to make such a public exit this week. But he said in a letter to Russell M. Nelson, the church’s president, that he was concerned about the church’s history, finances, and advocacy.
“While most members are good people trying to do right, I believe the church is active and currently harming the world,” he wrote in the letter, which was reported Monday by The Salt Lake Tribune.
Jeff T Green, who quit the Mormon church, ©The Trade Desk
“I believe the Mormon church has hindered global progress in women’s rights, civil rights, racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. Although I have a deep love for many Mormons and gratitude for many things that have come into my life through Mormonism, I have not considered myself a member for many years, and I’d like to make clear to you and others that I am not a member.”
Furthermore, in the letter, Dec. 23, he said he had stopped believing in the church’s teachings more than a decade ago. That’s why he had spent several years reflecting on his issues with it. “I believe the Mormon Church has hindered global progress in women’s rights, civil rights, and racial equality, and L.G.B.T.Q.+ rights,” he wrote.
The church’s press office did not respond to a request for comment.
More surprisingly, he also asked to remove his records from the church. That’s not all. He also asked for his only other contact from the organization to be a letter confirming that he was no longer a member. And he also mentioned that one of his friends and 11 family members resigned.
According to Forbes, Mr. Green, the chief executive of The Trade Desk, is worth $5.2 billion. Astoundingly, in November, he pledged to give away more than 90 percent of his wealth before or at his death.
This week Mr. Green also announced he was donating $1 million to Equality Utah, which advocates L.G.B.T.Q. Rights in the state.
What’s more, he told The Tribune that almost half the money would go to a scholarship fund for students in Utah, including those who “may need or want” to leave Brigham Young University, which is sponsored by the church and has an honor code. That prohibits same-sex “romantic behavior.”
In a meeting with Equality Utah’s Troy Williams and others at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Jeff Green, a billionaire tech leader. ©Kim Raff for The Washington Post
We believe this could be an actual turning point for the Utah LGBTQ community. So, now we’d like to hear your opinion. What else could be done to improve the status of the LGBTQ community?
Read also
23 Powerful gay quotes
This article will post the 23 most powerful gay quotes that have inspired us.There has been much progress in recent years, but LGBT advocates continue to
Quick Coming out Guide for LGBTQ people
In this Coming out guide for LGBTQ people, we will try to show you a few basic steps to do it properly. Namely, coming out
Our review: Beyto (2020 film)
In this article, Our review: Beyto (2020), we wanted to introduce you to this magnificent gay drama. Furthermore, we wanted to show you what the
Photo credits:
Featured photo: ©Aubrey Odom for unsplash.com//globalnews.ca