As a lesbian woman my life has been filled with let down after let down. I can remember a time when I was filled with hopes that the american people would open their eyes and see that we are simply people too. People wanting our own piece of the "American Dream". My hopes and dreams were dashed when Proposal 2 here in Michigan won by a landslide. This proposal added into our states constitution that "domestic partners" could not recieve the same benefits as regular married couples. The problem was that the government advertised the proposal as a "marriage ban". It had NOTHING to do with marriage and in a blue state, where we should know better than to listen to legislators and politicians,they all voted it into the constitution. I say all of this because our country is still run by the reds, the neo cons and our congress is filled with marionettes. I'm tired of worrying about this war. I'm voting for human rights this year. I think everything else will follow.

Wow! I thought Michael Clara was LDS and Republican?

How is it that you do not own a piece of the American Dream? Your sexual orientation doesn't stop you from sharing a home with the partner of your choice, or gaining the employment of your choice, or in exercising any of the formally-specified rights of the Constitution.

It seems to be all about "benefits". Isn't is selfish on your part to demand "benefits" just for being gay? Are you so contemptuous of democracy that you think your "benefits" are more important than the freely and democratically expressed will of the people of Michigan?

You may have most of the media and America's civic plutocracy on your side, but you do not - and will not - have the mainstream American population on your side. Enough already - content yourself with the significant victories you've won.

As a transsexual woman, I am not content to sit back and accept past successes of others with a sense of personal accomplishment. Those "benefits" you speak of so dismissively are important to us, and the fact that you feel inclined to label them not important enough to fight for speaks to your own lack of interest. This is a fantastic example of just how wrong the right-wing groups are, a "we could care less about the rights for us, but dont let the gays have them" position. Oh, and we're not demanding "benefits" for being LGBT. We're demanding equal rights for all.
As to the original article, I find it good to hear that Utah has some politicians left who are willing to take secular stands on issues. After all the media hoopla over the LDS church, I have occaisionally wondered if people forgot that human governments should be secular.

D Dawg, I think it would behoove you to strike up a conversation with someone from Equality Utah about the many inequalities facing gays and lesbians living in Utah. We can be the top salesman in our department and yet be fired simply because our boss perceives that we are gay, as well as kicked out of our apartment and denied the ability to make medical decisions when our partner is hospitalized or even be allowed to visit.
Suppose an individual received the same sort of treatment because they were LDS. Would they take lightly the suggestion that they should be content with previous victories? I hope not.