From Deseret News archives:
Hatch backs revised marriage amendment
But he is still considering alternative approaches.
Hatch, R-Utah, who was home recuperating from back surgery, sent his written statement to the third in a series of hearings before his committee on an amendment to ban gay marriages.
Hatch supported revisions announced Monday by Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman, but to allow civil unions to give gays some limited rights on issues from insurance to survivor benefits.
"I wholeheartedly support the passage of the Allard amendment," Hatch wrote. But he added, "There may be other approaches that warrant our consideration.'
A constitutional amendment is enacted if it passes by two-thirds majorities in both houses of Congress, and is then ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
Hatch spokeswoman Margarita Tapia said the senator is looking at simple statute alternatives to a constitutional amendment. She said he also is considering a different amendment that could leave the definition of marriage to the states and prohibit federal courts from interfering.
Conservatives counter that polls show vast majorities support traditional marriage, but say "activist judges" are going against such views by declaring gay marriage a new civil right. President Bush has said the only way to overcome that is with a constitutional amendment, which he has urged Congress to pass.
Allard said that with courts or local officials allowing gay marriage, at least temporarily, in California, Oregon, New York and New Mexico, it is time "to defend marriage from the onslaught of judicial activism and return the power on these matters to the states themselves."
Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who is gay, argued Tuesday at the hearing that allowing gay marriage "is not abolishing traditional marriage, but extending it to people who are not now eligible."
He said fellow gays "because of who we are, the way we were born, are not attracted to the opposite sex." He said if they choose to enter into long-term, loving relationships with other gays, that should not threaten those in heterosexual marriages. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," he said.
Comments
- Oil falls below $79 7:53 a.m.
- Stocks open lower 7:53 a.m.
- Iranian Consulate fatally shot 7:49 a.m.
- AP poll: Family dinner survives 7:47 a.m.
- Palestinian election may be called off 7:45 a.m.
- Balloon boy parents to plead guilty 7:44 a.m.
- Intel to pay AMD $1.25B settlement 7:42 a.m.
- Jobless claims fall to 502K 7:40 a.m.
- Obama to want revised war options 7:39 a.m.
- Will state consider gay rights law? 7:11 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- Crash kills Utah County man
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Will state consider gay rights law?
- Long days for BYU interns
- House passes health care bill
287 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
250 - TCU showdown has big implications
194 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
101 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
95
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
GO MIGHTY RED DEVILS!!!! This should be a great game! Good luck to Dixie as...
I have to stop and wonder about just one point. Why is the U not being...
It's tough when an unathletic team is going for their 4th straight conference...
Funny how the chruch cowers when the almighty tax exempt status is threatened.
"Nongovernment-funded entities" -- what is this writer talking about, Energy...
The only reason the church is trying to look OK with this is not because they...
Cindy and family, You are in our thoughts and our prayers. We appreciate...
Religion is a chosen behavior too. Before you freak, I don't support gay...
It sounds like our new mayor is a breath of fresh air. I look forward to...
It is going to come down to who can throw the ball better. I give that edge...



You can be the first to comment on this story.