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Posted: 10:21 PM- Gay-rights activists in Utah see the California Supreme Court's ruling to allow gay marriage as a victory, though they acknowledge it is only a symbolic one for same-sex couples in the Beehive State.
"The California Supreme Court has recognized that gay and lesbian people and their families deserve the same dignity and respect as other families and other individuals in society," said Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, who is openly gay and has worked for same-sex marriage laws. "That is a moral victory for gay and lesbian people and families in Utah. Unfortunately, that is about all it is."
While the Massachusetts gay-marriage law allows only state residents to wed, California's law has no such limitation, and many expect Utah same-sex couples to marry in the Golden State. However, such unions wouldn't have legal recognition in Utah. In 2004, Utah voters passed Amendment 3 to the state constitution, defining marriage as being exclusively between a man and a woman.
But Monte Stewart, president of the Orem-based Marriage Law Foundation, said he expects same-sex couples around the country - including Utah - to file for recognition of a California-sanctioned marriage in their own states.
"In my judgment, Amendment 3 makes Utah's policy clear," said Stewart, who has fought against same-sex marriage laws and for the constitutional amendment. "Consequently, Utah will not recognize a relationship entered into by a same-sex couple."
He disagreed with California's decision, saying the judges who rendered the majority opinion "relied on long-discredited arguments."
"Any judge who takes the full, rich, broad and factually accurate view of marriage as a social institution upholds the constitutionality of [exclusive] man-woman marriage," Stewart said.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has taken an active role in laws and constitutional amendments aimed at banning same-sex marriages. In 1998, the Salt Lake City-based faith donated $1.1 million in support of proposed constitutional amendments in Alaska and Hawaii. And in 2000 church leaders in California strongly encouraged their 740,000 followers to back a California proposition called the Defense of Marriage Act. They did the same in 2002 in Nevada, and the LDS Church backed the amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning the practice in 2006, when thousands of Mormons urged the Utah delegation via phone calls and e-mails to vote for the measure.
The LDS Church was one of several religious organizations that hired Kenneth Starr to represent their interests in the California Supreme Court case.
In a statement today, LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter called the court's decision "unfortunate."
"The [LDS Church] recognizes that same-sex marriage can be an emotional and divisive issue. However, the church teaches that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is the basic unit of society," the written statement said.
But down the street from the church's headquarters, many from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community celebrated the decision at the Utah Pride Center.
"We're thrilled about this," said Yana Walton, director of communications.
She said the decision could impact several same-sex couples in Utah because of California's proximity.
"It will be interesting to see how many Utah couples go to California to get married and to secure benefits there."
Mike Thompson, executive director of Equality Utah, also was "thrilled" with the decision.
"It's encouraging to see that a state, such as California, is taking leadership on this issue," Thompson said. "It shows that same-sex couples and relationships are valued and should be treated with respect."
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