Human Interest Billionaire Resigns from Mormon Church, Gives $600K to LGBTQ Org: 'Leadership Is Not Honest' “While most members are good people trying to do right, I believe the church is actively and currently doing harm in the world,” Jeff T. Green said of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints By Jason Hahn Jason Hahn Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. He started at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. He has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. People Editorial Guidelines Published on December 22, 2021 04:28 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: The Trade Desk/Youtube Billionaire Jeff T. Green of Utah said he is donating $600,000 to an LGTBQ group after publicly announcing his resignation from the Mormon church, which he accused of "hindering global progress" on social issues. Green, believed to be the wealthiest person from Utah, announced his departure from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a letter to its president, Russell M. Nelson, on Dec. 20, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. In his message, Green, the CEO and chairman of The Trade Desk, formally requested his records to be removed from the church, which is also known as LDS, more than a decade after he last participated in the organization. "Although I have 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," Green, 44, wrote in the letter, obtained by the Tribune. "While I left the Mormon church more than a decade ago — not believing, attending, or practicing — I have not officially requested the removal of my records, until now," he said. Representatives for Green and the Mormon church did not immediately return PEOPLE's requests for comment. Christian Missionaries Who Were Held Captive by Gang in Haiti Reveal How They Escaped Rick Bowmer/AP/Shutterstock Along with Green, 11 members of his family and a friend are also resigning from the church. The billionaire claimed the church is opposed to a number of progressive social issues, including those affecting women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. "[Most members] are good people trying to do right, I believe the church is actively and currently doing harm in the world," Green wrote in the letter, as reported by the Tribune. "The church leadership is not honest about its history, its finances, and its advocacy." How Families Help Support LGBTQ Kids in One of the Most Conservative States in the Country "I believe the Mormon church has hindered global progress in women's rights, civil rights and racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights," he continued. RELATED VIDEO: How the Red 'AIDS Ribbon' Was Born in 1991: Artist Marc Happel Reveals the Amazing True Story Green also criticized the church's wealth, which includes a fund worth $48 billion, according to the New York Times. "This money comes from people, often poor, who wholeheartedly believe you represent the will of Jesus," Green said in his letter. "They give, expecting the blessing of heaven." Along with his departure from LDS, Green, who now lives in California, announced he was donating $600,000 to Equality Utah, an LGBTQ civil rights organization. Forbes estimated his net worth is more than $5 billion as of Wednesday.