Utah to Consider Tougher Ban on Gay Marriage

(Salt Lake City, Utah) A Republican state senator is preparing a bill to toughen the state's existing ban on gay marriage.

Sen. D. Chris Buttars (R-West Jordan) says last summer's US Supreme Court ruling on sodomy opens up what he calls a Pandora's box, and could result in the state being ordered to recognize same-sex marriages.

In 1995 state lawmakers passed legislation prohibiting same-sex unions, but the state has never defined marriage.

Buttars bill would create a legal definition of marriage in Utah that recognizes only a union "between one man and one woman." The legislation would make any other configuration illegal.

He says he expects to have the bill ready for the 2004 session that begins in January.

"I have asked our staff to write the bill and I will pass it," Buttars told the Deseret Morning News.

He says his bill also would forbid the state from providing same-sex couples with any of the benefits of marriage, and make it illegal to recognize gay unions performed outside the state.

Buttars says the wording would prevent polygamy as well.

Darin Hobbs, a spokesperson for the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah called Buttars' proposed bill "at best, a misguided attempt to preserve the so-called sanctity of marriage."

"The fact is, same-sex couples already exist and are in committed relationships. We not only ask for the same privileges and rights, but we will accept the responsibilities, personal and social, as well," Hobbs said.

The Utah branch of the National Organization for Women also opposes the pending bill.

"This discriminatory legislation only serves to foster bigotry and hate against a responsible population of society who deserve the same privileges and rights afforded to other couples in committed relationships," said a statement from president Andrea Moore-Emmett.

She also makes the distinction between same-sex unions and polygamy. The latter is a lifestyle that "violates human and civil rights of women and children," while same-sex unions reflect "sexual orientation" in which there are no victims, her statement says.

Polygamy already is constitutionally banned in Utah.

Site Map
[Future Ex-Boyfriend] [Butt of the Week] [Kiss of the Week] [Boyfriend Art] [Antique Boyfriend] [No Porn Promise] [Gay Boyfriends Dating Connection] [gay gifts and books shopping] [Gay News and Info] [streaming gay video] [free gay fratboys picture gallery] [gay sex toy superstore] [gay community calendar] [get a million bucks for your gay boyfriend]

Gallery of FREE gay Video Clips


Gay Webmasters