Reader comments
Bill intended to stop domestic partner registry passed by Senate committee

This is riddiculous why cant everyone have the same benefits Marriage is nothing to do with religion after all the law says state and church to be seperate. We all Bleed red people and it shouldnt matter on who we love as long as we are in love!! Why cant we all have the same benefits and why cant buttars keep his nose in his own room and out of others?

Utah, is still living 100 yrs, behind the rest of the western world. Feel sorry for the good and decent open minded people that have to make a living in the state. Incredible, that in the year 2008, there still is so much discrimination in parts of the USA. Shame, shame, shame.

I think it's ridiculous that there are so many homophobic people in this state, and that any sign of equality for domestic partners must be a conspiracy to undermine the ridiculous statute of a heterosexual marriage. Domestic Parters and gays, pay the same state taxes as any non-gay singles, the same sales tax, harsher income tax with limited deductions due to taking turns in claiming home interest and dependants, and suffer lack of visitation rights over our partners and children in instances of emergency medical care. Not to mention lack of medical coverage and special FAMILY discounts! Medical coverage is expensive as a family, and unaffordable as an individual! Which is what we're limited to because of ignorance. The list goes on of privileges over looked by the typical "married" couple, who really deserve no special treatment over gays and domestic partners! Way to go Utah you have thoroughly disappointed me and the rest of human rights advocates yet again!

Please...this is sometimes all about defrauding people. How is the government going to prove that
the 'couple' actually has a relationship? Anyone,
anything, any person, animal, plant or otherwise can
say they have a relationship than reap the benefits.

I think the saddest and most troubling sight that I have seen in many years was a little girl, somewhere between 9 and 10, so embarassed to be with her two momss. She knows she has a less than novelty set of parents. Her discomfort, angst and emotional turmoil should be taken into account.

The so called politically correct pundits are
WRONG. We a society should have boundaries and
clear designations. We should also ensure that
our children are even protected from such septic
circustances.

Keep fighting to protect some people from turning society upside down for the benefit of no one, but their own selfish interests.

If you pass it, does Sodom and Gomorrah ring a bell? The fall of Rome???

Proof positive who's in charge of our theocratic Churchislature. Spread the word, tell the world what happens when a certain religious majority rules a one-party state with an iron fist.

This is about the wishes of the majority of SLC--something that apparently doesn't matter to the non-diverse, one-party legislature.

I was present at the committee meeting. I listened to Senator Buttars state that the insurance benefits that the Salt Lake City Corporation's Adult Designee program have are available to everyone in the state. I remember Salt Lake County employees getting voted down for such a program just last year. The program in Salt Lake is unique and extremely important. It isn't a "gay rights" issue, it is an issue of having the government make laws dictating who is and who isn't a family. Where does it stop? I am NOT gay, but have am a single mom, living with my mother as well. Because we don't fit into Senator Buttars mold, does that mean we aren't family? What it all boils down to is that the homophobic Senator Buttars is trying to scare everyone by making it out that this is only about the gay couples getting status. Wake up and smell the coffee brewing (or spiced cider brewing)people. The standard family of this time is not the same as the standard family of 20 years ago. Does that make everyone not in a married (man & woman) relationship bad? NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buttars needs to be voted out of office. Who votes for this neanderthal?

Someone ought to check Buttars' closets for skeletons. He is so overly paranoid about what he considers moral issues that it makes one wonder exactly what he is covering up with his big facade.

He would do a lot more good for this state if he concentrated the same passion and effort on issues that really are more important - instead of trying to FORCE the entire state into aligning with his beliefs.

Senator Buttars is a hateful man who delights in picking on the minority in this state.

It's nice to know that there is at least one portion of the constitution that the legislature is concerned about respecting.

"Thou shall not kill." Not "Not allowing two people who love each other basic rights as caregivers who make responsible choices in wanting to raise families."

Sokol: Defrauding people? Look no further than the homophobes in suits on Capitol Hill who are doing the defrauding. At taxpayer expense. And I'm curious to know how you have such intimate knowledge of _how_ that little girl feels.

What an embarrassment, indeed. Think about it.

Sokol you make me sick! It's people like you that hide your homophobia and bigotry behind legalize. I pay my taxes and contribute to this community just like you and how dare you try to tell me that I'm not entitled to the same rights as you because whom I choose to love is immoral to you. Get over yourself and keep your piety to yourself! K Pope and the rest hit the nail on the head on this issue! When will Utah grow up and people like Sokol stop being so sanctimonius!

I have wondered that myself. Anyone so determined to judge other people must be awfully flawed themselves.

As an agnostic, it's people like Chris Buttars that make me doubt there could be a God.

The queer community likes to call those of us who don't approve of their lifestyle "homophobic," as though we fear them. A phobia is defined as an uncontrollable, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.

Maybe K Pope thinks that with the right medication, the homophobes could be cured.

A cure for the homosexuals would make more sense.

I think we should extend the same benefits to polygamists as well. After all, they're just practicing their religion.

For that matter, what about people that like sheep? Let's be all inclusive and include them as well. And pedophiles too -- they can't help it if they like little kids, they were just born that way. What's wrong with that?

Yes K Pope, actions do have consequences! Thanks for enumerating the consequences you've brought on yourself because of the decisions you've made.

Talk about an "Agenda", Chris Buttars is out to continue Utah's backwards policy's and thwart any signs of progress by keeping Utah wrapped tight in a hand-stitched quilt of oppression and bigotry.

You are so right. Utah is so backward. The numbers of states who have passed similar statutes concerning marriage out number those that except domestic partnerships by more then double. States from east to west have protected the �sanctity of marriage� not just Utah. I don�t know what is legally right or wrong or what is fair. But if you want to call Utah backward then go ahead, it�s just unfounded. I lived in Oregon the last 10 years, the least religious state in the USA, and they passed a Sanctity of Marriage law. This is an issue that needs to be resolved for the good of all people. But states that have very little LDS influence have passed similar laws and are far more determined. President Hinckley�s funeral was protested by a group who thought he had been far too lenient in the churches gay policies. The LDS church is actually very moderate with such issues compared to most Christianity. Changes in the law are swinging your way. 20 years ago when I was still in school it was still �legal� to gay bash. Change will happen.