Utah’s 1,300 gay weddings spark change in attitudes

[William769]

Although the 18-day period during which Utah allowed same-sex marriages has ended, observers say the visibility of gay couples marrying there made an indelible impression on one of the nation’s most conservative states.

Utah’s flirtation with marriage equality began on Dec. 20 when a district court ruled in favor of marriage, allowing more than 1,300 same-sex couples to marry in the state before the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on the weddings pending appeal of the litigation.

Gov. Gary Herbert has said the state won’t recognize the same-sex marriages, but the federal government had pledged to view them as legitimate, and the events have shaken the state government, the view of state residents and even the Mormon Church.

Michael Ferguson, who wed his partner in Salt Lake City on Dec. 20 and became one-half of the first same-sex couple to marry in Utah, saw a sharp transition in support for marriage equality on social media in just two days of having marriage equality in Utah.

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/01/15/utah-marriage-folo/

Also from the article: A new consumer poll made public on Sunday reveals that for the first time ever, a bare majority of Utah residents — 51.3 percent — support marriage rights for gay couples. In comparison, 43.7 percent oppose legal relationship recognition.

[msongs]

1. practitioners Utah's dominant religion did not die off by the millions after all nt

[xchrom]

2. du rec.

[NYC Liberal]

3. People's minds generally won't be changed by logic and

reasoning. They will be changed by personal experience. As is the case with most things.

There will always be bigots, but once people experience legal marriage equality and they realize the sky hasn't fallen and civilization hasn't collapsed, most will come around eventually.

[el_bryanto]

4. This is true; when you are confronted with a human being

oftentimes your attitudes will change. This is why so much work is done to abstractify political enemies - Republicans are masters of it, but Democrats do it sometimes too (witness the white wedding photo earlier today).

And it's nice to see that in Utah - i still have family there.

Bryant

[NYC Liberal]

5. It's why the "pro-gay" (or relatively so) Republicans

are the ones with gay family members.

Some will argue that's a selfish motivation. I don't care. If they vote for and support equal rights then I don't give a crap why they're doing it.

[dbackjon]

6. Good to see - a logical result of finding out

Gay and Lesbians couples are just like any other couple.

[William769]

7. A fact they don't want to get out.

[dbackjon]

8. Yup - it is much easier to hate

When you think we all have horns.

[William769]

9. I'm glad you didn't also add tails to that!

[dbackjon]

10. As long as we stayed clothed

Those are hidden.

[William769]

11. well...