We were glad to read The Tribune’s coverage of the 10th anniversary of the freedom to marry in Utah last month, which captured many of the ways that our state and society at large has shifted for the better in the past decade. We married in Utah seven years ago and recently welcomed two amazing children into our lives; we’ve been spending time these past few weeks reflecting on Utah’s evolution on LGBTQ+ people.
We’ve come so far since the 2004 passage of Amendment 3 — the constitutional amendment banning same-sex couples from marrying passed with 65% support. Polling now shows a complete reversal, with one tracking 72% of Utahns supporting marriage for same-sex couples. Strikingly, leaders in the state have evolved, too: Gov. Spencer Cox has spoken movingly about dignity for LGBTQ+ people, and before him, Gov. Jon Huntsman was an early Republican to express support for marriage equality. Just last year Mitt Romney was one of 12 Republican senators to approve the Respect for Marriage Act, which will protect marriages like ours no matter what happens at the U.S. Supreme Court in the years ahead.
If the Supreme Court were to take up a challenge to same-sex couples’ freedom to marry, they’d be wise to look at Utah and how much we’ve changed. Even the LDS Church, once one of the most powerful opponents of the freedom to marry, voiced support for the Respect for Marriage Act.
That’s not to say there’s no work ahead: The passage of anti-transgender laws in Utah was a heartbreaking part of 2023, and we must continue pushing forward. But the 10-year anniversary of the freedom to marry is a good reminder to always speak out for dignity and equality — because change and growth are possible.
Jason Myers and Brian Nicholls, Salt Lake City