They arrived on Utah's Capitol Hill at the crack of dawn Monday, determined to make their case to the five state senators who could effectively strip their health benefits.
But after two hours, it was clear GOP Sen. Chris Buttars' panel had no interest in hearing from either the Curtis or Schertz mother-daughter tandem - four women who may lose Salt Lake City's crucial health-insurance package if SB267 becomes law.
Instead of calling on the families to testify, Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City, operating as acting chairman, selected a who's who of conservative voices to shout down Mayor Ralph Becker's domestic-partner registry.
Joining Buttars and anti-gay marriage mentor LaVar Christensen at the microphone were Eagle Forum heavyweight Gayle Ruzicka, former Republican U.S. Rep. Merrill Cook and Frank Mylar, an attorney who has crusaded against gay-rights measures.
Buttars' bill - hailed as a defense of Amendment 3 - could kill both the registry and the city's 2006 adult-designee ordinance, which provides health benefits to domestic partners of all stripes.
Minutes after SB267 sailed out of committee 4-0 - as the Curtises and Schertzes sat stunned - Becker called it "concerning" that residents most affected by legislation would be ignored.
Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, also bristled after the vote, wondering why the Legislature continues to go after "my family."
The openly gay lawyer vowed to dog the bill - even though it means taking time from more meaningful legislation.
"Every year we have these crazy bills come up and the people of Utah should be concerned about that," McCoy vented, noting the registry would serve much more than the capital's gay community. "I want to tee these myths up and knock them down one by one."
Of course, McCoy has the Senate floor as a forum. Muzzled residents, straight and gay, have to hope that is enough.
Guv's eagle 'forum'
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. found himself among friends during the recent celebration of Bald Eagle Day at the snow-covered Farmington Bay flats.
"I realize politicians are strange birds," he told an adoring audience of grade-schoolers. "And, as such, I feel very comfortable out here."
The guv certainly got some giggles from the budding bird-watchers. But there's still no word from the eagles, who may not appreciate Huntsman's suggestion that they are "strange" birds who could fit with Utah's political flock.
Grass stains,
er, gains
Los Angeles celebrity attorney Gloria Allred clearly has learned the lesson of Vietnam: Declare victory and get out.
Days after her client, Betty Perry, 70, pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct after scuffling with an Orem cop who tried to cite her for not watering her lawn, Allred touted the triumph and suggested her mere presence drove the city to the bargaining table.
In a statement e-mailed to reporters, Allred noted how, after she gained permission to represent Perry, the city agreed to reduce the more serious charge of interference with an arrest to disorderly conduct. It also dropped the nuisance-ordinance violation.
"Rather than face Ms. Perry and me in court and be forced to explain why they have wasted so much taxpayer money on this ridiculous prosecution, the city attorney has put up the white flag of surrender," Allred said in her statement. "To him, I say, 'Congratulations. You have saved yourself from public humiliation in a losing case.' ''
She noted Perry is out a mere $100 for her fine.
Reporters also received this e-mail from the Orem great-grandmother, sent via her L.A. attorney:
"I hope that no senior citizen will ever have to go through what I did again. This has been traumatic experience for me, but I am glad that I stood up and fought back against this injustice and helped the public to see how the city of Orem abuses its power against ordinary citizens."
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