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Show NEWS JANUARY 6, 2014 A3 66 SAME SEX from Al "chaotic situation" which left county officials scrambling to decide if they will issue or deny same-sex marriage licenses. Several days later, the same judge denied a request to stay his decision, although GOP lawmakers may soon be spending close to $2 million to defend the amendment and reverse the decision. The decision was made regarding a lawsuit filed on March 25,2013 by three samesex couples in the U.S District Court. The plaintiffs claimed that a voter-approved amendment to Utah's constitution passed in 2004 was unconstitutional. The amendment defined marriage as a union exclusively between a man and a woman, but District Judge Robert Shelby ruled that it violated the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution. "Martin Luther King wrote: `A law is unjust if it is inflicted on a minority that, as a result of being denied the right to vote [or in this case marry], had no part in enacting or devising the law'. I believe that similar principles apply whenever laws are established which promote inequality. I am in favor of gay marriage because I believe all people should have equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities—even those who act or believe differently than I might," peace and justice committee member Dr. Laura Hamblin said. Some view the ruling as a step forward for equality, but others believe that knocking down a voter-approved amendment violates the rights of the people. According to a poll by the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University, 54 percent of Mormons favor civil unions for same-sex couples, and opposition to any legal recognition has dropped from 69 percent in 2004 to 38 percent today. I am in favor of gay marriage because I believe all people should have equal rights. Utah's Current System ndi d De C I a ration Party Convention General Election DR. LAURA HAMBLIN UVU Professor The LDS Church, which has a significant role in the community as its members make up more than 58 percent of the state population, had church officials release a statement shortly after the ruling. "The Church has been consistent in its support of traditional marriage while teaching that all people should be treated with respect," the statement said. "We continue to believe that voters in Utah did the right thing by providing clear direction in the state constitution that marriage should be between a man and a woman and we are hopeful that this view will be validated by a higher court." Utah GOP lawmakers may even be willing to spend $2 million to bring in outside counsel to defend the amendment in the Supreme Court. In 2004, 66% of Utahns voted for the amendment, a majority that convinced lawmakers that defending the amendment is fundamental to supporting the public opinion. Since the ruling, more than 900 couples have received marriage licenses and for the first time in state history, samesex couples have been allowed to marry. Ultimately, it will be up to the high court to decide how the ruling will stand in Utah. Until that decision is made, all counties in Utah are currently complying with the ruling and are issuing samesex marriage licenses. Primary Election GRAPHIC COURTESY OF IVN.US VOTE from A 7 we have welcomed both groups on campus, offered them the same time and resources to educate students on the issue. We've even offered an open debate, which we hope to see happen in February." Neither group wants the other on campus, asking UVUSA to deny the other access. "We are not directly affiliated with either cause," Andrews said. "We are hoping for both to come and present their sides for the students to decide." UVUSA has asserted that they are a university and as such the primary focus is on a wellrounded education. Many of Keep Our Caucus's high-ranking supporters have asked for more drastic opposition to the change. Utah County's Republican Chairman Casey Voeks has launched a Facebook page asking for a boycott of Megaplex Theatres for allowing the Count My Vote campaign into theater lobbies to gather signatures on its ballot petition. "It seems petty," Jessica NEVER TRUS T MA RK ET NAMED AFTER AN ANIMAL THAT TRAMPLES PEOPLE Bull markets tempt investors with shortterm gains. At TIAA-CREF, we invest wisely, for the long haul. It's earned us the 2013 Lipper Award for Best Overall Large Fund Company. That's how we deliver Outcomes That Matter. Intelligent, informed investing. Award-winning performance. Get started at TIAA.org/award. ment is a threat to our way of life, our political stability and we take that seriously." UVU students are invited by both groups to educate themselves on all aspects of the issue before making a decision. "The thing is that even if we get the signatures we need we still have to go through the general vote," Davidson said. "If we end up on the ballot it's not going to be the end of the world for them [Keep Our Caucus]. It's more important that the voice of the people is heard, whatever that may be." LIPPER FUND AWARDS 2013 UNITED STATES BEST OVERALL LARGE FUND COMPANY The Lipper Award is based on a review of 36 companies' 2012 risk-adjusted performance. The Lipper award is given to the group with the lowest average decile ranking of three years' Consistent Return for eligible funds over the three-year period ended 11/30/12. TIAA-CREF was ranked against 36 fund companies with at least five equity, five bond, or three mixed-asset portfolios. Financial Services Outcomes That Marx, junior studying nursing, said, "that they are trying to stop people from their right to free expression. I think everyone has the right to petition change if they wish. I don't like that these people are threatening businesses that way." Keep Our Caucus argues that the sword is double edged and that they have the right to respond to what they perceive as a threat to their government. "Boycotting is a standard form of protest," Sandy Talbot, Keep Our Caucus supporter, said. "We feel like this move- Matter TIAA-CREF mutual funds have achieved high rankings over various asset classes and market cycles. The 2012 Lipper/Barron's overall ranking was determined by weighting five fund categories in proportion to their overall importance within Lipper's fund universe. TIAA-CREF's overall ranking was 10th out of 62 mutual fund families for one-year performance, and 29th out of 53 mutual fund families for five-year performance. 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