This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I am angry and disillusioned with Utah's stance on same-sex marriage, especially Gov. Gary Herbert's statement that marriages legally performed over the past few weeks will not be honored ("Utah's action on gay marriages 'puts my kids at risk,'" Tribune, Jan. 9).
I believe in equal rights for all of our citizens. The governor's religious beliefs are tainting his obligation to represent the rights of everyone in our state. Same-sex marriage does not threaten traditional marriage.
I have been married to my husband for more than eight years. We are happy and secure. We share benefits and file joint tax returns. If one of us gets sick, we can legally visit and make decisions for each other.
We have many LGBT friends, some of whom have married in other states because of Utah's repressive stance on this issue. They love each other, build stable homes together and deserve exactly the same rights that my husband I have. They do not in any way threaten my traditional marriage. Instead, my dear LGBT friends, just like ALL of my friends, add depth and love to my life. How can we deny them their rights?
I am appalled that we deny equal rights for everyone who lives here. I am disgusted that our state would spend millions of taxpayer dollars to defend what is obviously an unconstitutional repression of equal rights.
Laurie Dunnavant
Salt Lake City