The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah has jumped into the legal fight on behalf of city employee Dianna Goodliffe and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The civil liberties organization has filed a "friend of the court" brief outlining its contention that extending benefits is legal.

"Providing domestic partner benefits in no way violates Utah law," ACLU attorney Margaret Plane said. "Employee benefits are in no way equivalent to marriage. This is really about employment benefits, not marriage benefits."

All the legal wrangling may be moot, however. The City Council, led by Councilwoman Jill Remington Love, is pushing its own benefits plan that would offer domestic partner benefits to a wider range of dependants, including siblings or parents. Such an ordinance would supercede Anderson's executive order and might face fewer legal challenges. The council had hoped to consider the new ordinance in December but it is unknown whether it will be ready by then.

"We're working hard to get something done," councilman Eric Jergensen said. "We think this is a very good idea and a very good process, and one worth doing in terms of providing equal benefits for everyone."

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