CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Over the protests of Democrats who said a measure prohibiting gay marriage could be interpreted as an endorsement of polygamy, the Utah senate on Friday passed the bill and sent it to the house. The bill defines marriage as between a man and a woman and prohibits recognition of same-sex marriages, common-law marriages, or civil unions allowed in other states. But Democrats claimed that unless the wording were changed to "one man and one woman," the bill could seem to allow multiple partners. "If we don't put this in, it could mean one man and nine women and nine men and one woman," said Sen. Ed Mayne. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Chris Buttars (R-West Jordan), quickly responded that he didn't like the altered wording "because it reaches into the polygamist community." When Sen. Ron Allen asked if that meant Buttars wanted to protect polygamy, Buttars responded, "We don't think it's relevant." In committee meetings and floor debates during the past two weeks, lawmakers and lawyers were concerned that the bill would close the courts to same-sex or unmarried heterosexual couples with legitimate legal questions regarding child custody and care, wills, medical decisions, mortgages, or even car ownership. The polygamy question didn't arise until Friday morning's final senate floor debate on the bill. "Given the history of our state, there is absolutely no problem with clarifying this," said Sen. Patrice Arent. "I wonder about the message we send to the world if we don't clarify it." The mainstream Mormon Church abandoned polygamy a century ago as the Utah territory sought statehood, and it now excommunicates practitioners. The Utah constitution expressly forbids polygamy. Republican senators rose to help reject the reworded version, 29-9, and support Buttars's bill. "This is a tempest in a teapot," said Sen. John Valentine. Legislative counsel staffers have assured him that "a" means "one," he said. "We're not trying to foster polygamy here." Before the vote, as several Republicans huddled on the floor in an ad hoc caucus, senate president Al Mansell remarked that the bill was an election-year phenomenon. And before the final vote concerning the reworded bill, Arent raised the question of constitutionality. "As we all know, same-sex marriage is already banned in Utah," she said. "I think it's unfortunate we are inviting litigation. I think we should just staple a check to the ACLU on it." A civil rights lawsuit is now in federal court challenging Utah's ban on polygamy. Some legal experts say the case has a chance to succeed because of the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas ruling, which invalidated sodomy laws nationwide, citing the U.S. Constitution's equal-protection clause.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Biden will hammer Trump over abortion bans in Florida speech
April 23 2024 5:00 AM
Tristan Snell, who brought down Trump University, sees conviction in hush money case
April 22 2024 7:36 PM
Joe Biden admin marks Earth Day with major environmental initiatives
April 22 2024 4:18 PM
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott: 'We want to end' trans and gender nonconforming teachers
April 22 2024 4:13 PM
Nonbinary 17-year-old killed two years after being reported missing
April 22 2024 3:46 PM
Pride
Yahoo FeedIndulge in luxury and sensuality with The Pride Store’s Taurus gift guide
April 22 2024 11:46 AM
The gay man leading the Earth Day Initiative offers hope for the future
April 22 2024 9:00 AM
Pattie Gonia takes drag and fierceness to Capitol Hill to voice environmental concerns
April 22 2024 8:23 AM
Jodie Foster leaves her mark in cement at L.A.'s Chinese Theatre
April 22 2024 7:55 AM
Climate change has a bigger impact on LGBTQ+ couples than straight couples. Here's how
April 22 2024 7:42 AM