16 May
1969 Persons arrested on prostitution charges will undergo an
additional series of venereal disease tests, Police Chief Fillis announced. The
new procedures are being instituted to carry out the objectives of a recently
passed city ordinance which demands that sex offenders be held in prison until
tests can be conducted. Six weeks from the day of the arrest the suspect will have
to return to jail for additional check ups.
Suspects will post $750 bond to insure their return for additional
checks. In a letter to Chief Fillis ,
City Health Commissioner, Richard J. Nelson, outlined the procedure to be used
in handling sex offenders. Both “men and women shall be quarantined for 24
hours or until the results from serology and physical examinations are
completed. (05/17/69 SLTribune 6C)
1977-NBC aired the made for TV movie "Alexander: The Other
Side of Dawn" in which a confused country boy moves to Hollywood and is
exploited by homosexuals who introduce him to drugs and prostitution.
1979- Rev. Bob
Waldrop of Salt Lake City’s Metropolitan Church
formed the Gay Libertarian Association to promote the Libertarian Party in Utah.
1979-The National
Coalition of Black Gays met at the Gay Community Center in Washington DC to
discuss discrimination in Gay bars. There were many reports that white people
were not carded to enter Gay bars, but people of color were.
1990 Willie Marshall called this evening and said that
the police bulldozed the Beck
Street
Hot Springs
so there goes that. Patriarchy strikes
again. Well it was wonderful while it lasted.
As a Faerie I need to Sabotage Patriarchy in every little way I can. [Journal 1990 of Ben Williams]
 |
| Joseph Nicolosi |
1992- Evergreen held its second
annual conference in Salt Lake City. Joseph Nicolosi, author of Reparative
Therapy of Male Homosexuality, told conference attendees: ” Not to be Gay is as much a decision and a conscious
choice about one’s self-identity as is deciding to be Gay”. Queer Nation Utah countered in a
statement “The Evergreen Foundation’s
position that homosexuality can and should be changed is harmful and dangerous
to the participants in its programs, “ About 450 people attended. He died 9 March 2017.
1993 Sunday- An interview with LaDonna Moore Executive director of
the Utah AIDS
 |
| LaDonna Moore |
Foundation appeared in the SL Tribune- LaDonna B. Moore slipped away early from her
office at the Utah AIDS Foundation It
is not usual behavior for Ms. Moore, executive director, and Jeannie Barlow,
community education director. They left work to deliver a hot meal, a
foundation service, to a home bound client. More than delivering a meal, they
wanted to see a dying friend. ``I held
his little hands,'' Ms. Moore said,` `and looked in his eyes. We weren't there
for him. He was there for us. He held
us, hugged us, smiled, assured us. He was the comforter. He already had a foot
somewhere else.'' Ms. Moore, staff and volunteers at the Utah AIDS Foundation, 1408 S. 1100 East, Salt
Lake City, offer a range of services . . .
and more. The community-based non-profit United Way-member organization, 16 paid
and 200 volunteers, supplies information and education, renders support and
services. Its focus is the populous Wasatch Front. Educational outreach, the
six-days-a-week 1-800-FON-AIDS hotline and the fact that staff and volunteers
are available for people with AIDS and their families legitimizes the Utah part of the
foundation's name. Ms. Moore, therapist and director of client services, became
executive director in July. She
 |
| Ben Barr |
replaced Ben Barr, a man she called ``a tremendous
organizer and a trail blazer who kicked open doors in Utah.'' Mr. Barr, whose AIDS work began in
'85, is a full-time undergraduate in non-profit management at Westminster
College of Salt Lake City. He left the foundation to avoid what he called
founder's disease -- ``It happens when a person stays too long and subverts
agency needs.'' He's gone but has not
forgotten. ``I was there today,'' he
said. ``The foundation is great. I am proud of the quality of services and
professionalism. `` Oh no, no, no, the
work is not over. The challenge is different for LaDonna`` New perspective is
imperative. If the foundation is healthy, it has to change. ``LaDonna is better
than I at grief management. Grief is like riding a wave –some times you are on
top, some times it is on top of you. Her background is good preparation.'' Jane Edwards, Salt Lake YWCA executive director, president of the
18-member AIDS Foundation board, was part of the Barr-replacement selection
process. Ms. Edwards recognized in Ms. Moore a passion for issues, an empathy
for people, compassion, commitment and balance. ``After 30 months working on the board, I'm
not sure I could do what LaDonna does,'' she said. ``She deals with
overwhelming odds --death, discrimination, homophobia, the financial struggles
of a non-profit agency. It takes a talented leader to balance and work through
the levels.'' Ms. Moore knew the rules.
Perhaps that's why she showed some executive-director reluctance. Ms. Edwards became a job pusher. Finally Ms.
Moore submitted an 11th-hour resume. Ms. Moore is an in-the-trenches clinical
social worker with a background in hard-core settings-- addictions counseling,
a work stint at the Wyoming state hospital in Evanston, a private practice drop
out, a Denver on-the-streets kid, in and out of trouble. She knew that the Utah AIDS Foundation was more a way of life than a job.
Death is subtext for everything. The hours are long and could be spent more
comfortably in swankier offices for more money.
If outsiders can't comprehend the stress and sorrow, other foundations
workers can. Ms. Barlow said Ms. Moore pushes up her suit sleeves, gets in and
gets dirty.`` Working at the AIDS Foundation means dealing with death and sex,
because the disease is sexually transmitted. If you choose towork here, you
choose to involve yourself with these issues. LaDonna isn't afraid of issues or
of delivering meals, answering the hotline, or dealing with crisis -- a
client's or staff member's. ``I go home
with stuff from my department under my
skull,'' Ms. Barlow said. ``LaDonna takes home pieces from every department
under her skull. The problem isn't always dealing with death, it is dealing
with life.'' To the visitor, the foundation offices, surrounded by Sugarhouse
suburban living, are busy, upbeat, high energy, even playful. Escapism from
work is celebrated and encouraged. There are stuffed animals, lava lamps, gimmicks,
games, toys on desks, a set of Mickey Mouse ears atop a bookcase, children's
prize-winning AIDS posters lining hall walls. People take their props to
meetings. ``The staff is playful and funny,'' Ms. Moore said. ``Humor is a
coping device. When we feel shot down, we shut up the place and go bowling,'' she said twisting a
fluorescent-pink wire doodad, a stress reliever. ``Our job is not to join in
the despair of the disease, but to reconcile and let go.'' She applied for the
job as a defense.``My fear was that someone who cared less would be hired,''
she said, ``and that I would work for someone who did not understand our
mission and vision. The foundation operates on heart and prayers.'' Ms. Moore's vision is clear. Her job is
professionalizing the foundation and fund-raising. ``My job has many parts. I
am a chameleon, moving in and out of different settings, an advocate, an
educator, a myth and misinformation buster, a teacher, a fund-raiser. ``Who needs more help, more energy than people
with AIDS?'' The numbers of those who
need help keep going up. According to the foundation's confidential data base,
there are 420 clients. The norm until last year was for five clients to come to
the foundation a week. ``We had 40 in November, sick, dying, scared, back to
Utah to be with loved ones, 20 one week in April,'' Ms. Moore said. ``The AIDS epidemic has not
crested, but is headed that way.'' Ms.
Moore's April 30 exec-director update was full of numbers from last year -- 65,000 pounds of food distributed from the
basement food bank, 1,040 hot meals to homebound,18,000 Utahns educated, 90
volunteers attending one weekend-long training session. With client numbers up and funding already
spread thin (85% is from private donations, a little federal money, a
one-time-only education grant from the state), she wakes up with financial
nightmares. ``Our budget is $417,000. I
need to come up with more than $1,000 a day, every day. We can deliver
services, reach our mission only if we have money. I never quit hustling.'' Four times a year, the foundation asks for
public help. June 5 is their summer soiree, the $20-a-person Walk for Life, at Liberty
Park, beginning with registration at 8
a.m., walk at 10a.m., ending back at Liberty
Park, followed byfood and
activities. It might help Ms. Moore
sleep better. (05/16/93 Page: F6 SLTribune )
1993- ``Don't give up your dreams,'' urged the Rev. Barbara King of
Atlanta. ``If
you don't follow those dreams, someone will miss out.'' King, founder/minister
of the Hillside Chapel and Truth Center, spoke to 350 gathered for the People
With AIDS Coalition of Utah's third Community Awards Dinner at the Salt Lake
Hilton. Honored were Terrlynn Crenshaw, co-chairwoman of the statewide HIV/
AIDS Prevention Planning Committee; Anne Stromness, founder of Community
Nursing Services' Journey Home Program; George Peppinger, an -HIV/ AIDS
programs volunteer since 1989; Kindly Gifts, whose members make afghans and
sweaters for those with -HIV/AIDS; Julie Mohr, Blue Marble owner, who has contributed
to AIDS-related causes; and Steven Black and Richard Carter, coalition
volunteers. Mohr was accompanied by her parents, Arthur Mohr, Salt Lake City,
and June Mohr and friend Joan Coch, Phoenix; sister, Jan Meng, Eucha, Okla.;
and Cheryl McGovern. Mohr paid tribute to her brother, Michael Mohr, who died
of AIDS in 1989. Stromness was accompanied by her mother, Barbara Holmes, Grand Junction, Colo.
Jean Peppinger was with husband George. Brook Heart-Song chatted with Dee and
Randy Peterson and daughters Amanda and Holly. Daughter Kelli Peterson and Erin
Weiser talked with Carl Nelson. Sipping wine were Susan Massey, Elizabeth
``Betsy'' Baker, Virginia Rainey, Janet and Tom Lund, Piper Napier, Sharon
Kelly, Michael Westley, Michael T. Manning, Jack Droitcourt, Lucy Ormond, Bill
Balkan and George Miller. Robert A. Chase, vice chairman of the People With
AIDS Coalition, was with Saliva Sister Kristen Merrill. Also in the crowd: Kristen Ries, Maggie
Snyder, Larry Riemer, Katherine Zimmer, Veronica and Bill Sutherland (whose
daughter, Cori Sutherland, is director of the People With AIDS Coalition of
Utah), Carole Gnade, Linda Hunt, Andrew Hunt and Lori Bona, Eric Mitchell, Lisa
Carricaburu and Chris Maxfield. (05/16/93 SLTribune Page: E7)
1993 Salt Lake Tribune Page: B3 CONFERENCE AIMS TO HELP GAYS MAKE
TRANSITION TO HETEROSEXUALITY Byline: By Lance S. Gudmundsen The gray-haired
couple from Richfield
approached Joe Dallas after his keynote speech Saturday to some 200 delegates
to Evergreen International's third annual conference. ``You're helping us understand,'' the woman
said, referring to their 31-year-old son's homosexuality. ``Is he here this year?'' asked Mr. Dallas,
the founder of Genesis Counseling, a California-based organization to assist
gays ``make the transition'' to heterosexuality. The father looked at the floor
of Bryant Intermediate School's
auditorium and simply shook his head. A number of Evergreen members, however,
say they have overcome same-sex attraction. Some were accompanied by spouses.
Many wore wedding bands. They were among gays, their families and friends, plus
therapists and church leaders who attended a daylong workshop at the school, 40
S. 800 East, Salt Lake City. Evergreen and similar organizations across
the country are trying to help people ``find peace in the midst of the civil
war'' now ranging on the issue of gay and lesbian rights, Mr. Dallas said. Their ``homosexual desires are in conflict
with their larger belief systems. For them, the gay lifestyle is not an option
or an alternative -- but a conflict,'' he said. Their same-sex attraction is
``unwanted and cannot be openly celebrated.''
While strongly disavowing the gay-rights movement, Mr. Dallas declared:
``Homosexuality is not a choice. No one ever has chosen the homosexual
condition.'' Meanwhile, he said, gay activists have reacted to decades of
``repression and cruelty.'' Among ``myths and extravagant exaggerations'' by
conservatives such as the Moral Majority were that gays ``were all child
molesters . . . all were disease
ridden . . . and that they'd all had
23,392 sex partners.'' When the AIDS
epidemic began, ``How many times did we hear, `Well, the homosexuals are
finally getting what's coming to them?' '' he asked. ``That is a message they will never forget -- the
stereotypes and oftentimes hostile lies,'' he said. Today, lesbians and gays
enjoy ``considerable political clout,'' favorable media coverage and inroads
into the educational system, Mr. Dallas said. ``It's amazing that anybody is
trying to change [their sexual orientation],'' he continued. The gay-rights
movement, he said, seems intent on demanding ``exclusive recognition . . .and
is bent on trying to silence all opposing viewpoints.'' Lesbian and gay
activists ``must begin to show a tolerance to us,'' he declared. On the sidewalk outside the school, seven members
of Utah Gay and Lesbian Youth and the local chapter of Queer Nation carried signs.
``Don't Go In . . . Come Out,'' read
one. Kari Moss, president of the youth group, said Evergreen International ``is
trying to change people who cannot be changed,'' and fostering ``feelings of
insecurity and inferiority.''
 |
| Bob Mensel |
1993 THE SALT LAKE MEN'S CHOIR performed at First
Baptist Church, debuting the group's new artistic director, Bob Mensel, and two
subgroups, Uno Voce and Esperanto.
1998- Stonewall 2000, a bowling benefit for the Gay and Lesbian
Community Center was held raising $340 for the center.
 |
| Camille Lee |
1998 13 students from the East High School Gay/ Straight Student
Alliance went to Boston, along with their adviser, East High School teacher
Camille Lee, to attend the Fourth Annual Gay & Straight Youth Pride
Day. ``Our greatest wish is that Gov.
Mike Leavitt should follow the example of Gov. William Weld and establish a
Governor's Commission for Gay and
Lesbian Youth here in Utah,'' said Keshya-Katie Barnes, a member of the group.
In Massachusetts, the governor's office has set a goal to have clubs to support
Gay youths in every school by 2000. The
trip was paid for by an East High alumnus, Wallace Bachman who graduated from
East High in 1972 and now lives in Boston.
The Utah Group marched in the Youth Pride Parade and danced at the prom
held at the Boston City Hall. The East High students spoke at a rally describing
their struggles here in Utah. They were given a standing ovations. 05/16/1998Page:
B2 East High Teen Group Tells Leavitt to Form Student Gay, Lesbian Commission
Byline: BY HILARY GROUTAGE THE SALTLAKE TRIBUNE
 |
| Joseph Mitchell Parson |
1999 Killer wants to die, but he'll have to wait By Robert Gehrke,
Associated Press writer Published:
Sunday, May 16, 1999 SALT LAKE CITY -- Joseph Mitchell Parsons wants to die,
but the condemned murderer who spent the past 11 years on death row will have
to wait to have his wish fulfilled. Parsons had asked U.S. Magistrate Ronald
Boyce to allow him to fire his court-appointed attorney, Greg Sanders, and drop
an appeal pending before Boyce, potentially allowing Parsons to die by lethal
injection before the end of the summer.But Boyce on Friday postponed ruling on
Parsons' motion, instead instructing him to meet with Ron Yengich, who is
Parsons' back-up attorney but has far more criminal experience than Sanders, a
civil attorney. Parsons was angry with the delay. "You tell (Yengich) to
come see me as soon as possible, because this is (unacceptable)" Parsons
whispered loudly to Sanders, using an expletive to express his frustration.
Yengich was traveling Friday and would not be back until next week, said his
law partner, Bradley Rich, who appeared at the hearing on Yengich's behalf.
"Nothing Mr. Yengich could possibly say would change my mind,"
Parsons told Boyce. "I don't see the need for it." But Sanders
supported Boyce's decision. "If it happens where he's strapped on that
gurney, we can all say he had the opportunity to change his mind," said
Sanders following the hearing. Parsons, 34, wore a buzz haircut, orange prison
jumpsuit, shackles and glasses secured with a rubber band. During a lengthy
question-and-answer session with Boyce, Parsons indicated he was not depressed
or medicated and understood that if his motion were granted he likely would be
executed. "It's not fair to my family or the state of Utah or anyone else
to continue the petition any further," Parsons said. "I've made peace
with myself and my family, and it's time to move on." Parsons was
sentenced to death for the August 1987 murder of Richard L. Ernest. Ernest was
driving from Southern California to Denver, Colo., when he picked up the
hitchhiking Parsons in Barstow, Calif. About a week-and-a-half earlier, Parsons,
then 23, had been paroled from a Nevada prison where he had served time for
aggravated robbery. Parsons claims that while the two slept at a southern Utah
rest stop on Aug. 30, 1987, Ernest made a homosexual advance toward him. He
said he tried to escape, but Ernest grabbed him. Parsons responded by stabbing
Ernest in the chest with a hunting knife, then plunged the knife into him 10
more times. He took Ernest's wallet and credit cards, dumped his body beside
Interstate 15 and used the cards to pay for a motel room and personal items. He
was arrested the next day near Beaver while sleeping in Ernest's car. Parsons
pleaded guilty before a trial. No evidence was presented during the sentencing
phase to support Parsons' claims that Ernest, who was divorcing his wife, was
homosexual. Sanders said Parsons admitted that his prison time gave him a
strong dislike of homosexuals. Parsons has had a federal habeas corpus appeal
pending before Boyce since November 1995. The appeal claims Parsons' trial
attorney wasn't given enough money to do an autopsy and background interviews
on Ernest and also challenges instructions given to jurors. More than a year
ago, both Sanders and state attorneys asked Boyce if he required additional
information to make a ruling, a gentle prodding for the judge to rule that
brought no results. Sanders said that after his conviction, Parsons set a
10-year deadline to have his appeals completed. That deadline lapsed a year
ago, but Parsons delayed it, hoping for a ruling from Boyce. Boyce told the
Associated Press two weeks ago that a ruling on Parson's habeas corpus appeal
could come within 90 days. On Friday, Boyce urged Parsons to follow through on
his appeal. "It's this court's position that you would be well-advised . .
. to at least pursue your legal remedies," Boyce said.
1999. A recent study in Sacramento, Calif., compared Gay and
lesbian victims of hate crimes with homosexuals who had filed police reports of
other crimes. The research showed the targets of hate crimes suffered greater psychological
damage -- signs of depression and anger, for
example -- than the Gays and lesbians who had
experienced non-bias crimes.
2005 "James
Viney" Subject:
National Gay Mens Health Summit Dear Mr. Williams The national gay men's health collective has
chosen Salt Lake as the site for this years annual National Gay Men’s Health
Summit, scheduled fore Oct. 19-23 2005.
We anticipate that hundreds of participants interested in promoting
health for gay men will be attending this conference. They will be coming from
all over the US. The local Gay Men’s
Health collective is eager for this to happen, as it will enable our local
population to be exposed to a much broader variety of workshops than we could
otherwise present. We also are eager to show the rest of the US the amazing
people and resources we have in our own area.
WE have been talking over potential workshops that would be interesting
to local and out of town men and think
that a workshop on gay history would be very interesting. we hope you would be
willing to turn in a application for a workshop on this subject to the national
collective. We believe in addition to showcasing our area, this will be
important in drawing in the participation of local gay men who are interested
in their own health issues and allowing them to use the resources of this
conference. If you are interested in presenting a workshop on gay men's health
need, community building or empowerment of gay, bisexual and queer men please
go to the website at gmhs2005 for information and application. The national
collective is asking for applications to be turned in by May 1 of 2005. GMHS2005 Workshop c/o Utah AIDS Foundation 1408 So 1100 E SLC
Ut. 84105 Thank you so much for your time and consideration If you have any
questions, please contact me Jim Viney
.jpg) |
| Paul Douglas |
2005 Paul A. Douglas, age 58,
died May 16, 2005 in Salt Lake City,
from complications of many medical problems.
A native of California, Paul Douglas opened one of Salt Lake City’s
earliest Gay bars, the Rusty Bell, with Mac Hunt and Jim Beveridge in July
1975. As a pioneer community builder, Douglas’
bar was open to all community functions from hosting wedding ceremonies to Sub
for Santa charities. The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire held their
first Coronation at the Rusty Bell on 14 January 1976. Paul Douglas was also a founder of Cocaine
Anonymous, although he was not a user, after seeing its devastating effect on
the Salt Lake Gay community. Paul is survived by his partner of thirty-five years,
Bobbie Almstead, two brothers and a sister, and a host of friends who are
grateful for his dedication to Utah’s Gay community.
- Born November 20, 1946
Indio, California Became a couple 1970 age 24 with Bobbie Almstead. Opened
bar 1975 age 29 Died May 16, 2005 Salt Lake City
- Hi
Paul, I love you very much and always will. Thank you for the almost
thirty-six years of happiness and love. "Super 88". Love always, Bobby (Pretty Bird sends his love) Bob Almstead (Salt Lake City, UT
)
2014 Utah judge may hold AG in contempt over gay adoption BY MARISSA LANG THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Same-sex couples fighting for the right to
adopt children may force the Utah Supreme Court to address one of the biggest
legal issues in the state: Whether the Utah marriages of more than 1,300 gay
couples are valid. A state court judge this week ordered that the Utah Attorney
General’s Office and several government agencies appear in court on June 16 to
explain why they have refused to honor these adoptions. If they refuse, or provide an inadequate
response, Attorney General Sean Reyes, Executive Director of the Utah
Department of Health, W. David Patton, and the State Registrar of the Office of
Vital Records, Janice Houston, may be held in contempt of court — a crime
punishable by incarceration, a fine or both. “[These officials] must appear and
show cause why they should not be held in contempt for their willful disregard
and refusal to obey the Decree of Step-Parent Adoption,” wrote 3rd District
 |
| Andrew Stone |
Judge Andrew Stone. In response to this summons, the Attorney General’s Office
asked the Utah Supreme Court for the second time Thursday to issue an emergency
order that would halt all adoption orders until the high court rules on whether
these adoptions —and, by extension, the marriages of the couples seeking
step-parent adoptive rights — are legal. They asked the court in April to do
the same, but despite the “emergency relief” request, the court did not take up
the issue expeditiously — or at all. Last
month, the state filed petitions that said judges who granted such adoptions
“abused [their] discretion” by approving an adoption for couples and ordering
the Utah Department of Vital Records and Statistics to issue new birth
certificates for the couples’ children. Supporters of same-sex marriage have
accused the state of “tearing families apart” for political reasons, but
Assistant Attorney General Joni Jones, who oversees the litigation division of
the office, said the state is seeking clarity, not discord. After U.S. District
Judge Robert J. Shelby historically
 |
| Robert Shelby |
ruled Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage
unconstitutional on Dec. 20, more than 1,300 gay and lesbian couples were wed
in Utah before the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay, halting the marriages. Those
couples have since lived in a state of limbo, left to grapple with conflicting
and often-confusing answers to the legal status of their unions. Although Gov.
Gary Herbert declared that the state would not recognize the marriages — though
they could be recognized in other states
where same-sex marriages are legal — married gay and lesbian couples were
allowed to file joint state and federal tax returns for the first time this
year and will receive federal benefits. Utah
contends that they aren’t recognizing the marriages because their hands are
tied. “Once the U.S. Supreme Court issued the stay of Judge Shelby’s
injunction, what that did was put Utah’s law into effect again, including the
part that says the state shall not recognize or give marriage-like benefits to
any same-sex union. Under that law, it’s the state’s view that we aren’t
allowed to recognize or give benefits to same-sex marriages,” Jones said.
“We’re the state, we comply with the law. But we felt the order required us to
violate current Utah law.” But gay marriage advocates say it’s a convenient
excuse that allows state officials to retain the status quo at the expense of
Utah families. “The Utah attorney general doesn’t get to declare what the law
 |
| Cliff Rosky |
is; only the courts of Utah can declare Utah law,” said Cliff Rosky, University
of Utah law professor and Equality Utah chairman. “Nevermind the personal toll
this takes — what could be more devastating to a family than looking at a child
and her mother and saying, ‘You’re not really a parent; that’s not really your
parent.’ When the law has already said yes, she is.” According to a motion
filed by the plaintiffs in one of the three adoption cases in question in 3rd
District Court, the state was given notice that these adoption proceedings were
underway in January, at which time they were given an option to intervene and
object. In the 75 days between when they were notified and when the first
adoption was finalized by the court, the Attorney General’s Office said
nothing. That window of time discredits the state’s call for “emergency”
intervention by the Utah Supreme Court, wrote attorney Shane A. Marx, who is
representing one of the plaintiff couples seeking adoption rights. “Simply put, the state had 75 days of notice,
so there can be no emergency,” he wrote. “The Decree of Step-Parent Adoption
has not been stayed, and it remains in full force and effect. The state’s
refusal to obey the [order] is a blatant disregard for this court’s authority
and is grounds for contempt.” Jones told
The Tribune on Thursday that the office’s lack of action when the adoptions
were pending was not an endorsement, and their actions today are not an
objection to the adoptions themselves. “We did not want to be a party in the
adoption because we have no position or opinion on the best interest of the
child,” she said. “It would not be appropriate or proper. … What our interests
are is whether, under law, we can allow the recognition and give benefits to
same-sex marriage.” No matter how the
state chooses to characterize its request, said Utah Democratic Sen. Jim
Dabakis, the result it has on Utah
 |
| Jim Dabakis |
families is irrefutable. “You can’t imagine
what it’s like when you wait years and years to finally be united as a family
and then a judge says OK, and there’s great celebration and tears and joy, and
finally your family and your children have the same protection as every other child
in the state of Utah,” Dabakis said. “And then, declaring himself chief
prosecutor, judge, jury and everything else, the attorney general says, ‘No,
I’m disallowing that adoption on a whim.’ And that’s what he did by ordering
these state agencies to not follow the procedures to complete a judge-ordered
adoption.” Dabakis, who is openly gay and was married in the 17-day window,
accused Reyes of using the same-sex
marriage case to gain political ground rather than represent the best interest
of all Utahns. That’s not the case, the AG’s Office said in a written
statement. “The state is not attempting to undo adoptions, restrain custody
rights, nor suggest that these families are not serving the best interest of
their children,” spokeswoman Missy Larsen wrote. “What the State is doing is
exercising its right to seek clarification from Utah’s highest court as to
whether it can issue amended birth certificates.” A ruling from the 10th Circuit Court of
Appeals, which heard arguments from the state seeking to overturn Shelby’s
ruling last month, would also lend clarity to the question of whether same-sex
marriage in Utah may, ultimately, be legalized. The federal court has put the
case on an expedited calendar and could rule any day. It’s widely anticipated that
after the appeals court rules, the case will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme
Court along with several similar cases from around the country.
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