Utah Attorney General Directs Counties to Grant Gay Marriage Licenses

Utah would have been among the last places one would have expected gay marriages to be taking place.  Thus, how amazing it is to see the Utah Attorney General directing county clerks to grant marriage licenses to same sex couples even as the state files yet another appeal to the 10th Circuit  to stay the U.S. District Court ruling that struck down Utah's bans on gay marriage.  Even more surprising is seeing photos of Boy Scouts selling pizza to those waiting for marriage licenses (see image above) - Tony Perkins and Maggie Gallagher must be having convulsions!  Hopefully, residents of Utah will quickly see that affording marriage equality to all does not mean the sky is falling.  The Salt Lake Tribune looks at the surprising ongoing events.  Here are excerpts:

The law now requires Utah counties to marry same-sex couples, the Utah attorney general’s office said Tuesday, but officials in some jurisdictions continued to flout the new status quo. 

Though the attorney general’s office wasn’t specifically advising county clerks on Christmas Eve, spokesman Ryan Bruckman pointed out that U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby "has put out his ruling that anyone who denies a marriage license [could be] in contempt of the court and in contempt of the law."  "According to that," Bruckman said, "everyone should be [issuing licenses]."  

Despite Shelby’s ruling, Utah County — the state’s second largest — continued to turn down same-sex couples. Utah County Clerk Bryan Thompson issued a statement Tuesday, reiterating that he is seeking clarification from the state and the Utah County attorney’s office.

Attempts to reach Thompson and other county clerks were unsuccessful after the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the state’s request for a stay about 6 p.m. Tuesday. It is unclear whether any counties will continue to refuse marriage licenses to same-sex couples in light of the fourth court ruling confirming that same-sex marriages should proceed. 

Thompson said "probably a handful" of same-sex couples have shown up to be married, and he has been issued a notice of claim by one, Shelly Eyre and Cheryl Haws. The couple moved to sue the county after having a door slammed in their faces Monday while trying to obtain a marriage license. In addition to a lawsuit, Thompson’s response also sparked a protest Tuesday.

Wilcox said the response to the protest from passers-by was positive. Most people honked in support and only one person drove antagonistically, forcing a large pickup truck to belch black exhaust toward the group. Wilcox said the generally warm reception was a sign that, despite Thompson’s response, many people in Utah County support same-sex marriage, or at least obeying the law.  . . . . According to Wilcox — who is gay and Mormon — the protest also included Latter-day Saints who support same-sex marriage.

There's more in the story.  Suffice it to say, it is so, so sweet that this is happening in Utah under the noses of the anti-gay leadership of the Mormon Church.