From: Date: Fri, 10 Feb 1995 11:05:06 -0500 Subject: GLUD condemns Utah bill to ban recognition of same-sex marria NEWS RELEASE Thursday, February 9, 1995 Contact: Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats Post Office Box 11311 Salt Lake City, Utah 84147-0311 (801)238-2526 metropolitan Salt Lake City telephone number (800)648-9996 national toll-free telephone number Internet: glud@aol.com Tear sheet requested a000 rp ^BC-Gay,297< GLUD condemns Utah bill to ban recognition of same-sex marriages SALT LAKE CITY - Utah became the second state in a week to have its Legislature consider a bill which would ban the recognition of same-sex marriages regardless of where those marriages are performed. The South Dakota House of Representatives voted on Feb. 2 to ignore and nullify the same-sex marriages of people who move to South Dakota. The states' actions are being viewed by gay political leaders in both states as the start of a national trend by states to preempt a likely requirement to recognize such marriages. Utah law prohibits same-sex marriages from being performed in the state but recognizes marriages which are performed in other states and countries. Same-sex marriages are legal in Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, but aren't legal in any state in the United States. The Hawaii Supreme Court is expected to decide this year that same-sex marriages are legal in that state. Other states may be required to recognize such marriages. The Utah bill, H.B. 366, "Recognition of Marriages," is being sponsored by Republican state Rep. Norm L. Nielsen and would recognize marriages which are performed in other states and countries only if the marriages meet the same requirements as a marriage performed in Utah. Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats leaders announced today that they oppose any attempt to change the state's laws about the recognition of marriages which are performed by other states and countries. "This bill is an obvious attempt to sanction discrimination against gay and lesbian people who have met every legal requirement for marriage in other countries and maybe soon in Hawaii," GLUD Founder David Nelson said. "The arguments for this bill are as offensive as those that supported laws banning interracial marriage before the laws were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967."