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Show .vim ' I : v it -" i w Laws clear on same-sex marriage By Preston McConkie lifestyles writer-77i? Signpost "Gay marrriage might soon be legal in all 50 states as early as this summer." So warned the "Conservative Consensus" in 1996. Same-sex marriage has been a national issue since September that year, when the Hawaiian Supreme Court ruled that marriage clerks could not refuse marriage licenses to same-sex couples. By early November that year, Congress passed the Marriage Protection Act, which said states would not have to recognize same-sex marriages performed in another state. This was related to the full faith and credit clause found in article IV, section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which reads: "Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial prodeedings of every other stale. And Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof." Homosexual marriage became a hot issue in Utah when American Civil Liberties Union attorney Ross Anderson was nominated for the second district congressional seat in 1996. His Republican opponent was long-time loser and former independent Merrill Cook. Anderson, who openly favored homosexual marriage but claimed he would not vote in its favor without first polling his constituency, became the first candidate ever to lose to Cook. But on election day in 1998, Hawaiian citizens approved a referendum legally defining marriage in a way that excluded same-sex unions. Alaska, which was also dealing with a high-court case involving the same issue, passed a similar referendum. According to Scott Bradley, president of the Layton chapter of the Eagle Forum, "Right now there aren't any states where homosexual marriage is recognized." Meanwhile the Vermont State Supreme Court is deliberating a lawsuit charging that not recognizing same-sex marriage is discriminatory. A lower court dismissed the suit in 1 998. Judge Linda Leavitt said excluding same-sex marriage is not discriminatory because men and women are granted an equal opportunity to marry under the standard definition of marriage. Friction developed between Utah Attorney General Jan Graham and Gov. Mike Leavitt when Graham refused the governor's request to sign an amicus brief on the behalf of Utah meant to persuade the Vermont court to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages. The amicus brief was sponsored by the attorney general of Nebraska and signed by the attorneys general of 10 other states. On May 10, 1998, "The Salt Lake Tribune" quoted Graham as saying, in retrospect, that her refusal to sign the brief was "political suicide." According to Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swenson, Utah law specifically prohibits same-sex marriage. "The law states that marriages between certain people are prohibited and declared void," Swenson said. "That includes people below certain ages, people with living marriage partners who haven't been legally divorced, and between persons of the same sex." ::f r"':' iff?'.':. . i - v r. The clock is ticking... Procrastinating shoppers beware. The candy shelves may seem full and the lines short now, but Valentine's Day is less than a week away. ,-!."itTMi THiilim in ittStm Hit da it a it i ii-t'MMhliliiMfttf'1 inl " m Vi inri tf n iim i' 'iflliMfr ti m yiirti-ni" Inf. iftin.i -fr ,.' , ,' T' v XAr. ;.W'-"iii'ii'4ar : -Mr.., '.ijtt ya - .v.;-'... , 2 . . Jx - Wedding & Reception A m.&t$? WH Center iA M V 2621 E. Oak Hills Jj kH. rTA1 " East Layton J Cf. V Wedding. MaMW Bridal Canwltarimm' ' V' H Make Your Special i ) Day... Truly Special. We Are A Complete Wedding Service Offering; 1 V Invitations Cakes Parties Tuxedos Catering Photography Flowers Banquets Accessories Friends-Z, Inc Your Party Store 333-2nd Street, Suite 2 Ogden,UT 84404 25 OFF ALL crapbook Supplies (with this ad) expires 3-31-99 Don't forget your Valentine! Balloon Bouquets $5.49 & Up r A We Have Beanies! Excellence in Wedding Photography and Video iiitP,ji 4 t v m m . . . ... FJSJ WtUUNIAIN tUH Film Productions 629-0707 Fourth Floor of the Historic Old Post Office Ogden Utah TUXEDOS SAME DAY SERVICE FREE DAY BEFORE PICK UP AND TRY ON PROMS WEDDINGS CRUISES BLACK TIE Rental & Sales WE'LL FIT YOU RIGHT jp ? YOUR TUXEDO RENTAL ui niuiviuudi; Weddings Proms Cruises, etc. Coupon must be presented upon tuxedo rental. Not valid with any other offer Fili(oenuc layton bountiful 77C OKKC 1(10 TCCC IM TUXEDOS 1596 No. Hillfield Rd. 273 W. 500 SO. J J |
