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Gay rights may be a divisive issue in the Utah Legislature, but the Senate took a moment Monday to applaud and recognize a group of gay activists from Russia.
Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, the only openly gay member of the Legislature, said members of the group had been in and out of jail in Russia, and now are on a tour of America organized by the U.S. State Department.
As the visitors stood on the Senate floor and were applauded by senators, several had tears in their eyes as they smiled.
Dabakis, who has lived in Russia, said some of them are careful not to be photographed because it could cause problems at home.
"They are very courageous young people who are seeing that in the United States, we have some of the same passions and disagreements about issues, but we have the ability here to discuss things civilly and respectfully and ultimately our issues are decided at the ballot box and in courts of law," he said.
Dabakis added that the State Department told him it felt it was important that the group visit the Utah Legislature, which is working through proposals on gay and religious rights.
"Although we have these hugely competing interests, we're able to civilly and respectfully disagree and come to solutions," Dabakis said.