Coming Out At 40, GOP County Commissioner Says "I Get To Be Myself"

A Republican county commissioner in Utah came out as gay to his constituents via social media video on Wednesday.

“There’s no easy way to say this, I might as well just jump up and say it — I’m gay," said Nathan Ivie in the video. “That’s my reality, and that’s what I need to talk to you about today.”

Ivie, a 40-year-old horse trainer, says he shared his first kiss with a boy when he was 9, survived a suicide attempt at 22, and has spent most of his life trying to come to terms with who he is.

“I diligently devoted myself to trying to cure myself, to heal myself,” said the soft-spoken LDS church member. “And doing all of the things that society and my faith-based institutions had taught me to do to cure myself — going on missions, getting married, etc., etc.”

He also shared that while he’s amicably separated from his wife of 13 years, he still considers her his best friend. And the couple are committed to raising their two children together.

In an interview, Ivie told local newspaper The Herald Extra his coming out was the result of a few factors.

First, he wants “the 22-year-old version of himself” out there to know things will be ok.

“Obviously we have a problem in our community, especially in the LGBT community, of suicide,” he shared. “As someone who’s been there and pulled the trigger once: don’t.”

He also says that seeing two men holding hands on a river trail in Boise deeply affected him.

“It was just two regular human beings who loved each other who were walking holding hands as an intimate, caring couple, and that image really stuck with me for whatever reason,” he told the Herald Extra. “And that was probably one of the first times in my life I went, ‘Maybe I’m not screwed up. Maybe I’m not broken.’”

And last year, he found himself threatening to pull county funding for Provo's Freedom Festival if LGBTQ groups weren't allowed to participate in the annual 4th of July parade.

One of those groups was Encircle, a Provo nonprofit which works to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth.

Ivie told the Herald Extrait was a difficult balancing act during that time advocating for Encircle and the other LGBTQ groups not to use the words, “Because I know."

Openly gay former state Sen. Jim Dabakis took to Twitter to call Ivie an “ally.” Dabakis also sent a message to the county commissioner, “Welcome to an honest life, Nathan.”

When Provo Freedom Festival went all homophobic and refused entry to Encircle, I called Commissioner Ivie. He was an ally. He was bold. He was strong. And turns out--he was in the closet. Welcome to an honest life, Nathan. #utpol https://t.co/8AI12Bhsj1

— Jim Dabakis (@JimDabakis) May 22, 2019

Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Salt Lake City’s first openly gay mayor, also tweeted her support:

All the best to you @IvieNathan! I ❤️ how a simple act of love among strangers helped you find your truth & that you are being embraced by family and friends! https://t.co/OuRPezaP2l

— Jackie Biskupski (@jackiebiskupski) May 22, 2019

The first-term county commissioner, elected in 2016 in a staunchly conservative county, says that reaction to his announcement has been positive and that his coming out does not affect his view on conservative politics.

“The Democratic Party should not have a monopoly on tolerance,” said Ivie. “I hope this illustrates that you can be gay and Republican. You can believe in limited government and personal liberties.”

Ivie does have one piece of advice for young LGBTQs who may be struggling with who they are.

“One of my favorite reminders is that a flower doesn’t need to be reminded it’s a flower, it just blooms,” he said. “Just bloom. Just be who you are and don’t fear that. Discover it, let it happen.”

WOW thank you for the ❤️. It’s already settling in and feels amazing. We have great people in this state. To live authentically today is like balm to the wounds of 30+ years of internal civil war. #thankyou #utpol #LGBTQ #peace #comingout

— nathan ivie (@IvieNathan) May 22, 2019

News Round-Up: April 3, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• Here's a t-shirt (modeled by InstaHunk Ramses Principe) that I can totally relate to ;)

• The governor of Utah has signed into law the state's new, tougher hate crimes law with stricter punishments for those who commit crimes specifically due to bias. Yes - Utah!

• Even though Netflix cancelled the terrific One Day at a Time reboot, the streaming giant may be standing in the show's way of finding a new home.

• Starting out at a bus stop as young boys, James Corden and Tony Award winner Ben Platt tell the story of a life-long friendship using 9 different sets and 12 carefully curated songs all captured in one take.

• Investigators on Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team say the four page letter by Attorney General William Barr didn't adequately portray the findings of their investigation.

• Stoning gays to death officially became the law of the land in Brunei today. Even Ellen DeGeneres has joined the boycott of hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei.

• Donald Trump's choices for ambassadorships has been, interesting, to say the least. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates — a wealthy real estate developer with no diplomatic experience. Ambassador to Morocco? A well-heeled car dealer. For Iceland? While well-traveled, the nominee had never even been to the Nordic country.

• The brilliant satirist, Randy Rainbow, offers his parody of the Disney classic, "Cruella DeVille," with a nod to our current clueless Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

🎶She might be even dumber than her boss...🎶 #CruellaDeVos 🍎😈 pic.twitter.com/8PhLorHukv

— Randy Rainbow (@RandyRainbow) April 2, 2019

Utah Beefs Up Hate Crimes Bill, Also Adds 'Political Expression' As Protected Class

Utah beefs up its hate crimes law

After the victim of an alleged gay bashing in Salt Lake City, Utah, caught his attacker punching him on video last month, state lawmakers found themselves under new pressure to update the state’s hate crime statute.

Upon the arrest of the suspect, Carlo Alazo, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill told the media he would not be attaching hate crime enhancements to the charges because he felt it was “nearly impossible" for him to prove that intent under Utah’s hate crime statutes calling them "unworkable."

“I would have to show that the person involved in criminal behavior had the intent to deny a constitutionally protected right,” Gill added, such as free speech or religious expression, which doesn’t apply in this case. “It’s so burdensome, we don’t even go to it.”

Utah’s hate crime laws apparently have never been utilized successfully in court.

Last week, the state Senate passed an updated version of the law by a vote of 18 - 11. And Tuesday night, members of the House approved the legislation by a vote of 64 - 9.

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

Thatcher’s bill would allow judges to increase penalties for a crime if a defendant is convicted of targeting someone based on ancestry, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation. Additional classes that would be protected under the bill include age, familial status, homelessness, marital status, matriculation, military service and status as a police officer or emergency responder to the list of protected classes.

A person must first be convicted of a crime before additional penalties would apply.

The Tribune reports that Gov. Gary Herbert has signaled he will sign the final version of the bill.

“Governor Herbert appreciates the great work of the legislature in passing this important piece of legislation, which will serve as a powerful tool in providing critical protections to marginalized groups and persons,” read a statement from the Governor’s office.

Troy Williams, the executive director of Equality Utah, said the moment was nearly 20 years in the making.

“It was incredibly moving to have a body of conservative elected lawmakers vote for protections for LGBTQ individuals,” he told the Tribune.

An interesting development during the debate in the House, though, was the passage of an amendment that adds “political expression” to the list of categories that will be protected by the new law.

Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield) became emotional as she shared she had been the target of “death threats” after she recently made changes to a proposed bill that would have banned so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for minors.

Lisonbee’s changes eventually gutted the bill, HB399, and lead to the main sponsor pulling his own legislation from consideration for now.

The development not only angered LGBTQ activists, but past Facebook comments by Lisonbee were brought to light in an Associate Press report where she had questioned if living a ‘homosexual lifestyle’ could lead people to suicide.

As a result of her tearful testimony, the amendment to the hate crimes bill was passed.

The bill now heads back to the state Senate to approve the changes to the bill where it’s expected to pass.

News Round-Up: March 13, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• Paleontologist & InstaHunk Francesc Gascó saying 'good night.' #ImNotMad

• The Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed a bill banning the practice of so-called 'conversion therapy' on minors. With full passage, Mass would become the 16th state (plus the District of Columbia) to ban conversion therapy for minors.

• Donald Trump has proposed cutting over $1 billion in HIV/AIDS funding in next fiscal budget.

• Former Broadway dancer Marcus Bellamy was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering his partner during a drug-fueled argument.

• Utah's House of Representatives approved a bill that would give teeth to the state's hate crime law - but only after making not only LGBTQ people but "political expression" protected by the law.

• Los Angeles-based electro-pop musician, Devin Tait, recently debuted his new music video, "By My Side," from his album, Art Damage.

The video is an wistful homage to late 80s-era Halloween nights, and two young men who discover that there may be more to be found in removing your mask than in hiding who you are.

Hit the play button below.

Podcast: Utah Fails On Conversion Therapy; Mississippi Tries To Ban Gay Prom Dates; Mr. Rogers Was Bi; Jussie Smollett Gets More Bad News

In this week's podcast:

• Utah's governor apologizes for legislature's failure to ban so-called 'conversion therapy'

• Empire star Jussie Smollett gets more bad news

• A Mississippi high school is pretending it isn't trying to ban same-sex dates to prom

• Folks are surprised to learn that the iconic Mr. Rogers may have been bisexual

• And new music from country artist Cameron Hawthorn reminds of the romance of 'Dancing in the Living Room'

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Conversion Therapy Bill Dies In Utah Legislature

UPDATE - The bill that would have banned 'conversion therapy' in Utah has stalled and died for this legislative session.

Republicans had tried to insert an amendment that would allow professional therapists to 'talk' about changing a teen's sexuality, but not promising to 'reverse' it.

******************************

Utah lawmakers have gutted legislation that would have banned so-called 'conversion therapy' in the state.

With recent changes, the new bill allows therapists to continue using the same techniques, just not with a promise of a certain outcome.

The new version also doesn't ban therapy intended to change transgender youth.

From The Salt Lake Tribune:

Troy Williams, executive director of Equality Utah, left the morning hearing fuming about the committee’s decision. The majority of the committee, he said, sided with “quack therapists” and “snake oil salesmen” by approving a version of the bill that would be easily sidestepped by practitioners of conversion therapy.

The substitute bill by Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, focuses on prohibiting practices that cause pain or physical distress to a minor patient. It also would ban claims that a therapy could fully and permanently reverse a child’s sexual orientation and assertions that such a change is necessary.

All of the nation’s leading mental health and medical associations, including the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have rejected conversion therapy as dangerous and ineffective, and 15 states have banned certain counselors from trying to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors. The practice has been linked to suicide and depression, and supporters of Hall’s legislation have framed it as a potentially life-saving legal change.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Craig Hall, told the committee, "This bill, substitute 4, just to make it clear, will not prevent conversion therapy."

Federal courts have upheld bans on 'conversion therapy,' and the U.S. Supreme Court has refused, thus far, to hear appeals on the subject.

News Round-Up: October 9, 2018

(image courtesy of Australian Firefighters Calendar)

Some news items you might have missed:

• The Australian Firefighters Calendar (above) is so popular (how popular is it?) that there are multiple versions including the hot firefighters and dogs edition, the hot firefighters and cats edition, the hot firefighters and animals edition and the just plain "hot" edition. The annual charity calendars raise money for several charities each year. Click over to the official website for more photos and info.

• Three members of a high school football team in Utah are under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting a team mate. Two boys reportedly held down their team mate while a third rubbed his junk on the boy's face. Since the initial allegations, 13 more players have come forward with similar allegations.

• While opening for Randy Rainbow at a theater on Long Island, Rosie O’Donnell reportedly told the crowd that she and Gaga will be acting in a revival of Funny Girl.

Rosie O'Donnell just said on stage that Lady Gaga will play Funny Girl on Broadway and she'll play her mother.

— BRIAN O'KEEFE (@BOKABC) October 7, 2018

• Cameron Monaghan, who's played the gay middle child, Ian Gallagher, on the Showtime series Shameless since it's 2011 premiere has announced this week's episode will be his last.

• The Human Rights Campaign's 'Municipal Equality Index' came up with a record 78 cities with a perfect score of 100. The list of 506 cities in the U.S. also found 15 cities that ranked an abysmal zero. The survey looks at things like non-discrimination policies as well as community relationships with police departments.

• One of the members of the gay string quartet Well Strung got in hot water posting a shirtless pic as he stood on a grave in a cemetery. Check the bottom right pic below. #seriously?

Mitt Romney To Announce Run For US Senate Thursday

Mitt Romney

The Associated Press is reporting Mitt Romney will announce his plans to run for the Utah Senate seat currently held by Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Hatch has previously announced he will not seek reelection.

The 70-year-old Romney, once a harsh critic of President Donald Trump, will release an online video Thursday announcing his Senate bid. His first public appearance as a Senate candidate will come Friday night at a county Republican dinner in Provo.

Those with knowledge of his plans spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.

Despite a drama-filled history with Trump, Romney is not expected to address the combative president directly in the announcement video. Those close to him say he plans a hyper-local focus on Utah issues throughout the Senate campaign.

His announcement video will suggest that Washington has much to learn from Utah.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and one of the most famous Mormons, is widely liked and respected in Utah, which is heavily Mormon.

Romney is considered a shoe-in for the Senate seat.

Mitt Romney set to announce bid to become a Senator who will bravely stand up to the president, before voting for everything he wants in complete obedient lockstep.

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) February 14, 2018

#MittRomney is going to be another talk tough republican while getting press coverage, but will have Cheetos ass dust all over his face from kissing it! Politico tells Hillary to get over losing, while praising Romney as a good move. FUCK YOU POLITICO. MALE EGOTISTICAL PRICKS!

— Robert Myers (@RobMyers1968) February 14, 2018

News Round-Up: March 9, 2017

Caleb Reynolds of Survivor

Some news items you may have missed:

• Yes, the new season of CBS' Survivor began last night. And yes, I watched (big fan). And yes, I have a favorite - the hunky Caleb (above). #woof #TeamCaleb

• Even though the Congressional Budget Office has yet to return a report on the newly introduced American Health Care Act, meant to replace the Affordable Care Act, the two House committees designated to debate and markup the legislation have already approved the legislation to the full House. For comparison, Obamacare took six months from introduction to signing into law.

• Boston's Mayor Walsh has announced he will not march in this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in light of parade organizers booting LGBT veterans group OutVets from the parade after allowing the organization to march the past two years.

• Utah lawmakers have passed legislation that would repeal the state's "no homo promo" law. All eyes on Gov. Gary Herbert to see if he signs the bill. Stay tuned.

• Despite the howls of conservatives over a rumored "gay" storyline in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, film industry insiders are predicting the flick will break March box office records.

• Watch below as Congresswoman Maxine Waters tells MSNBC that the unverified allegations of compromising video footage of President Trump with Russian prostitutes are “absolutely true.”

Rep. Waters says "we already know" the Trump-Russian prostitute sex tape is “absolutely true.” Didn’t give evidence. https://t.co/CnVlzqB54j pic.twitter.com/pSZbISz5WB

— Andrew Kirell (@AndrewKirell) March 9, 2017

Utah House Committee Advances Bill To Criminalize Non-Disclosure Of HIV+ Status

By a vote of 9-2, the Utah state House Judiciary Committee has approved new legislation that would require folks to disclose HIV/AIDS status or face criminal penalties.

House Bill 369 now heads to the full House for debate.

LGBT advocates and AIDS support groups worry that such legislation could discourage people from getting tested for HIV. Executive director of the LGBT rights group Equality Utah, Troy Williams worries that enacting statutes like HB369 were “starting down a path toward criminalizing people with HIV.”

But Republicans on the committee say there's no reason status shouldn't be disclosed by consenting adults. “To knowingly put another person at risk of harm to their body,” Rep. Kim Coleman, R-West Jordan, said. “Why should that not be a crime?”

At one point, a proposal was put forth that would include disclosing any sexually transmitted disease, but that amendment failed.

(source)

News Round-Up: October 22, 2016

Some news stories you may have missed:

• This Is Us star (formerly of Smallville) Justin Hartley gets wet and wild for a good cause on ELLEN.

• Log Cabin Republicans vote to withhold endorsing Donald Trump for president. What a bold decision two weeks before the election.

• Utah activists sue the state over laws which ban any positive discussion of LGBTs in public schools.

• Donald Trump says he plans to sue all the women who have accused him of sexual assault after the election.

• In case you're wondering, here's Nate Silver's latest numbers crunching of the presidential election.

Utah Juvenile Court Judge Reconsiders Ruling Against Lesbian Foster Parents

(photo: Steve Griffin - Salt Lake Tribune)

It appears the Utah judge who ruled a married lesbian couple could NOT be foster parents to a nine month old baby girl is reconsidering his ruling after national outrage over the case.

Via Salt Lake City Tribune:

Under the order issued earlier this week, 7th District Juvenile Judge Scott Johansen had given state officials until Nov. 17 to remove the child. In his ruling, Johansen said research showed that children do better in homes with heterosexual parents.

On Friday, Johansen scheduled a hearing for Dec. 4 to determine what is in the best interest of the child.

The Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) on Thursday filed a petition for a stay of the order, while an attorney for the foster parents women — April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce — filed a separate petition asking the judge to reverse his own ruling.

Hoagland and Peirce, who have been married for a year and are licensed foster parents, have cared for the girl since August, as the state has moved through the legal process of terminating the parental rights of the child's biological mother.

The couple, who are also raising Peirce's biological children, ages 12 and 14, intend to adopt the girl and have said the child's mother told Johansen on Tuesday she wants her daughter raised by the couple.

Even conservative Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said the judge had overstepped in his ruling:

“I expect the court and the judge to follow the law. He may not like the law, but he should follow the law. We don’t want to have activism on the bench in any way, shape or form. Laws, sometimes people don’t like, but the judge should not interject his own personal beliefs and feelings and supersede the law."

The Human Rights Campaign has filed a formal complaint against the judge saying he violated Section 2.3 of the Utah Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Utah: Judges Takes Foster Child From Married Lesbian Couple Because They Are Gay

April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce of Carbon County, Utah, were stunned when Judge Scott Johansen ordered they surrender the one year old foster child placed in their care.

The judge said he felt the child would be better off with a heterosexual couple based on "research" he had done. When asked for the source of that research, he refused.

Via the Advocate:

The couple, who legally wed in October 2014, have taken care of the one-year-old girl for three months and her birth mother has asked them to adopt the child. The Utah Division of Child and Family Services has been forced to find new housing for the child, but officials say they will appeal the judge's decision.

"We love her and she loves us, and we haven't done anything wrong," Peirce told The Salt Lake Tribune. "And the law, as I understand it, reads that any legally married couple can foster and adopt."

Attorneys for DCFS are currently reviewing the decision. "If we feel like [Johansen's] decision is not best for the child," DCFS director Brent Platt said, "and we have a recourse to appeal or change it, we're going to do that. For us, it's what's best for the child."

"Any loving couple if they are legally married, and meet the requirements, we want them to be involved," he said.

The child's state-appointed attorney supports the couple. The birth mother's lawyer, who was in court with the couple when the decision was handed down, has said the mother is upset and wants her baby to stay with the couple.

The Human Rights Campaign issued this statement:

“Removing a child from a loving home simply because the parents are LGBT is outrageous, shocking, and unjust. It also flies in the face of overwhelming evidence that children being raised by same-sex parents are just as healthy and well-adjusted as those with different-sex parents. At a time when so many children in foster care need loving homes, it is sickening to think that a child would be taken from caring parents who planned to adopt.”

Democratic White House front-runner tweeted her support for the couple:

Being a good parent has nothing to do with sexual orientation—thousands of families prove that. https://t.co/xQLh25RAYR

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 12, 2015

Watch the local CBS affiliate's report below.

Utah: Transgender Woman Steps In Front Of Truck After Leaving Suicide Note On Facebook

According to Gay Star News, 26-year-old transgender woman Ashley Hallstrom of Logan, Utah, posted a suicide note on Facebook detailing her journey with depression and ‘lifelong struggle with being transgender,' left her home, and stepped into traffic where she was killed by a truck this past Wednesday.

It seems the police were alerted to Hallstrom's note, but were unable to reach her before she made her fatal decision.

This breaks my heart.

You can read Hallstrom’s suicide note below.

“These are going to be my final words. I can’t stand to live another day, so I’m committing suicide. The reason why I’ve decided to do this is because I’m transgender. For those of you that unsure of what that means, it means that even though I was born in a male body, I am and have always been female. I’ve known I was female for as far back as I can remember. This caused me to become severely depressed from a very young age. From a very young age I was told that people like me are freaks and abominations, that we are sick in the head and society hates us. This made me hate who I was. I tried so hard to be just like everyone else but this isn’t something you can change.

It wasn’t until I was 20 that I found out I wasn’t alone. I had hope that I would finally be able to live as and love who I am. I finally came out as transgender and began transitioning. For the first time in my life I could say I was genuinely happy. Despite this huge change in my life I never completely got over the depression being trans caused me. Everywhere I’d turn I’d see the hated that society had for us. I had already been poisoned by a society that didn’t understand us and, even worse, didn’t want to even try. I saw the pain it caused to people like me and going though this same hurt myself it has just become to much for me to take anymore. I wanted so much to help those going though what I had to because nobody should ever have to feel that they hate their life so much that they want to end it all just so they won’t have to experience another moment of this sadness. I’m not the first to feel this way and sadly I know I won’t be the last.

I’m writing all of this because I’ve need my story to be shared. I don’t want to be just another number of a tragic statistic. People need to know that I’m not just another face of someone they never met. I was alive. I have a family and friends that I love very much and I’m so sorry to them for the hurt this will cause them. I loved being around those that I love. I loved listening to music and singing. I loved going out to eat with friends and enjoying good food. I was a real person. I still want to help people and I believe I still can. Please share my final words. I believe my last words can help make the change that society needs to make so that one day there will be no others like me. Please help make this change because trans people are everywhere. You may never know who you’re hurting until it’s too late. Please help fix society.”

It's important to note that Trans Lifeline, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the well being of transgender people in the US, is available via hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. They can be contacted: US: (877) 565-8860, Canada: (877) 330-6366.

Utah Passes Limited Housing & Employment LGBT Protections

The result of a joint effort by LGBT activists and the Mormon Church, the Utah legislature has passed a bill - SB 296  - which will provide some protections for LGBT folks in the areas of employment and housing.

Last week, Utah’s Senate passed the measure by a vote of 23-5, and last night's vote in the House was a huge victory at 65-10.

Via Gay Star News:

The so-called ‘Utah compromise’ protects LGBT people when it comes to employment and housing. However, religious organizations are exempt. This means that they could still fire someone for being gay or transgender. If they operate housing schemes – through colleges, charities or other affiliates – they could also deny them accommodation.

Gov. Gary Herbert is expected to sign the bill tonight.

The legislation does not cover goods and services. Another bill, HB322, is headed to the state Senate where it looks to face an uphill battle as it basically outlines a "license to discriminate" that we've seen in other states in regard to public accommodations. That bill passed in the House 54-21.

Also, the House voted on SB 297 which would allow employees in county offices to "opt-out" of performing same-sex marriages, but would require that another employee would be available to officiate the wedding. That measure passed also, by a vote of 66-9.

Utah: State Senate Approves LGBT Protections Bill By A Vote Of 23-5

By a vote of 23-5, Utah's GOP-controlled state Senate advanced an anti-discrimination bill that would protect LGBT folks regarding housing and employment, but would also allow religious people to express their beliefs. The bill has the support of the Mormon Church.

The legislation now moves to the state House.

Republican Gov. Gary Herbert has indicated he will sign the bill should it reach his desk.

Utah: Mormon Church Offers Support For LGBT Protections - On One Condition

At a press conference held at Mormon Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, members of the Church's top tier promised to support anti-discrimination protections for the LGBT community - with one condition.

For their support of LGBT non-discrimination laws, the Mormon Church wants LGBT activists and the government to back off.

“When religious people are publicly intimidated, retaliated against, forced from employment or made to suffer personal loss because they have raised their voice in the public square, donated to a cause or participated in an election, our democracy is the loser,” said Elder Dallin Oaks, a member of the church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

“Such tactics are every bit as wrong as denying access to employment, housing or public services because of race or gender.”

The Mormon church is one of several religious groups to complain about religious freedom coming under “attack” in recent years. The Catholic church and Southern Baptists, among other evangelicals, have sounded the alarm as well.

[snip]

“It is one of today’s great ironies that some people who have fought so hard for LGBT rights now try to deny the rights of others to disagree with their public policy proposals,” said Oaks.

While offering this conditional support, the Mormon Church says it will not change it's position on same-sex marriage.

Openly gay state Sen. Jim Dabakis issued this statement via press release:

"I am proud that the LDS Church has seen fit to lead the way in non-discrimination. As a religious institution, Mormons have had a long history of being the victims of discrimination and persecution. They understand more than most the value and strength of creating a civil society that judges people by the content of their character and their ability to do a job."

"Since serving as a Senator, and as the only LGBT member of the Utah legislature, I can say one of the joys of the job has been to meet and enjoy the company of LDS officials. I know that together, we can build a community that strongly protects religious organizations constitutional liberties and, in addition, creates a civil, respectful, nurturing culture where differences are honored and everyone feels welcome."

"Now, lets roll up our sleeves, get to work and pass a statewide Non-Discrimination Bill."

Salt Lake Tribune Names Six Marriage Equality Plaintiffs "Utahns Of The Year"

Moudi Sbeity, Derek Kitchen, Kate Call, Laurie Wood and Kody Partridge (Karen Archer not pictured)

The Salt Lake Tribune names the six same-sex marriage plaintiffs "Utahns of the Year."

This is really quite beautiful.

These six people put their names to the lawsuit challenging Amendment 3. They stood up, stood together and helped history along.

Through 2014, they rode the legal roller coaster — to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld Shelby’s ruling, and onto the U.S. Supreme Court, which issued a stay on the ruling.

In October, the high court declined to hear appeals from Utah and four other states. In essence, the denial made same-sex marriage legal in those states.

Because of these Utah plaintiffs — who bravely made public their most private lives — the state took an unlikely position among the vanguard in the biggest civil-rights movement of the day. Forever, their names will be associated with a tidal wave of change that swept the country.

For that, Derek Kitchen and Moudi Sbeity, Karen Archer and Kate Call, Laurie Wood and Kody Partridge are The Salt Lake Tribune Utahns of the Year.

Unlike the cowards who sent funds to support Prop 8 anonymously, these six people proudly stood up in the public square and asked for equality.

Props to the Salt Lake Tribune for understanding the contribution these couples made to society.

(h/t JMG)

Utah: Facebook donates $10,000 to anti-gay Attorney General Sean Reyes

Sean Reyes

Facebook has a strong history of supporting LGBT equality.

So, it was a bit confounding when news came to light that the company donated $10,000 to Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes' re-election campaign.

Remember, this is the man who vowed to 'spend whatever it takes' to prevent gay couples from marrying in his state.

And this is the company that says it “values the impact that every individual can have. We are dedicated to creating an environment where people can be their authentic selves and share their diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and ideas.”

QSalt Lake reports:

When asked about the donation to the person who has arguably become the face of legal opposition to marriage equality in America, a Facebook spokesperson responded with:

“Facebook has a strong record on LGBT issues and that will not change, but we make decisions about which candidates to support based on the entire portfolio of issues important to our business, not just one. A contribution to a candidate does not mean that we agree with every policy or position that candidate takes. We made this donation for the same reason we’ve donated to Attorneys General on the opposite side of this issue – because they are committed to fostering innovation and an open Internet.”

Reyes recently appealed the 10th Circuit Court's ruling against the Utah's same-sex marriage ban directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Utah officially asks SCOTUS to rule on marriage equality

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes has officially filed an appeal to the US Supreme Court to rule on the current ongoing same-sex marriage case.

Here's the background so far:

• December 20, 2013 - U.S District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby ruled Utah’s same-sex marriage ban in violation of the U.S. Constitution. More than 1,000 same-sex couples to married before the U.S. Supreme Court halted marriages pending appeal

• April 10, 2014 - 10th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the case

• June 25, 2014 - 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 to uphold a lower court’s ruling that Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional

Worth noting that SCOTUS does not have to take the case.  Should SCOTUS refuse, the 10th's ruling would stand and same-sex marriage would be legal in Utah.

Peggy Tomsic of the Salt Lake City law firm of Magleby & Greenwood, P.C. (currently representing the plaintiffs) issued this statement:

"We respect the State’s right to seek review of its own law in the highest Court in the land, but we also respectfully, and vehemently, disagree with the notion that States can deny one of the most foundational rights to the millions of same-sex couples living across this great land. We look forward to reviewing the Petition filed by Utah’s excellent lawyers, and to responding to it in due course."

(source)