So far, however, the church has not responded, Equality Utah's executive director said.

"It is a little disappointing," Mike Thompson said during a morning press conference in Salt Lake City. "But we understand ... it will take some time. We continue to be optimistic and hopeful."

Members of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays said Monday the activist group would be lending its support to the series of five proposed bills called the "Common Ground Initiative" and asked the LDS Church to do the same.

In supporting California's ban on gay marriage, the LDS Church said in a written statement it "does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional right of churches."