Reaction is mixed in Utah to Bush's stance

President Bush's announcement that he supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage came as no surprise to two Salt Lake newlyweds.

Jane Marquardt, who traveled to California last week to marry her partner, Tami, said gays and lesbians must unite to fight against what she calls a discriminatory piece of legislation.

"I have to say, I take it personally," Marquardt said. "You can't talk about what gay marriage is without looking at people like Tami and me."

Reaction to Bush's announcement was mixed throughout the state. Gay leaders said Bush is using the proposed amendment for personal political gain. And local leaders used Bush's recommendation as firepower to push local legislation aimed at recognizing marriage as between a man and a woman.

Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake, the only openly gay member of the Utah Legislature, said Bush is using the proposed amendment as a re-election tool. She said if Congress passes the amendment, Utah would quickly follow suit.

"Having a (U.S.) constitutional amendment out there" for legislatures to approve "really frightens me," Biskupski said.

Michael Mitchell, executive director of Equality Utah, said Bush is using gay and lesbian families as "collateral damage for political gain."

"In an attempt to place into law some sort of moral code, their version of a moral code, it's actually doing a lot of damage," especially to the children of gay and lesbian families, Mitchell said. "They keep saying it isn't discriminatory. I'd like to see what their definition of discrimination is."

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, the sponsor of Utah's "Recognition of Marriage Act" and the Senate sponsor of the state constitutional amendment to the same end, said he supports Bush's proposed constitutional amendment.

"It's fabulous," Buttars said. "But it is a long road, and it should be to amend the U.S. Constitution. It is important to hold our stand in Utah."

That road includes a two-thirds vote from each house of Congress. Then, at least three-fourths of the state legislatures — 38 of them — would have to approve it before it would become part of the Constitution.

Other local leaders agreed Utah must continue to push for legislation that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.