Utah Lawmaker Not Running for Reelection

Gay Utah lawmaker Christine Johnson announced that she will not seek reelection this year.

Johnson, a two-term state representative, said that she saw hypocrisy among her colleagues in the state house chambers, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

"For the past four years, I have stood with my colleagues each morning of the session, placed my hand over my heart and pledged 'liberty and justice for all,' and yet repeatedly witnessed blatant disregard of those so in need of equal protections in the name of 'family values,'" she said in a statement.

Johnson added that nontraditional families usually have devoted parents and that it was "reprehensible that we continue to ignore them."

"Their bravery and willingness to understand the reality of shameful discrimination within Utah will demonstrate to state leaders that courageous leadership is admirable," she said, "and that Utah is a better place when we suppress our entitled need to cast judgment on one another and instead respect the authenticity and free agency of each person."

Johnson, one of two openly gay lawmakers in the Utah state legislature, is the vice chair of the Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission, a former board member of Equality Utah, and the former vice chair of Stonewall Democrats.

She is also pregnant, acting as a surrogate mother for a gay couple.