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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) A gay rights organization is calling on Utah Gov. Gary Herbert to apologize for suggesting homosexuality is a choice and for calling decisions by other state leaders to not defend same-sex marriage bans the "next step to anarchy."
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John Netto, head of the Utah Pride Center's board, said the governor's comments during his monthly televised news conference Thursday were hurtful.
"To suggest that allowing gay marriage is the foundation of anarchy, to us, is hate speech," Netto told The Salt Lake Tribune (LGBT leader calls for apology over Utah governor?s comments | The Salt Lake Tribune ). "We think he is uneducated ... on current scientific positions in regard to human sexuality."
Herbert's office didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Herbert said Thursday that he remains committed to defending Utah's same-sex marriage ban, which was struck down by a federal judge in December. The ruling led more than 1,000 same-sex couples to marry in the state before the U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency stay pending an appeal to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.
The Republican governor said he's dismayed by the suggestion that Utah should drop its defense of the 2004 voter-approved ban because public opinion and social mores are shifting.
He said seeing Oregon and Pennsylvania leaders this week decide not to appeal rulings from federal judges striking down bans there does nothing to change his thinking.
"For elected officials, governors or attorney generals, to pick and choose what laws (they) will enforce I think is a tragedy, and is the next step to anarchy," Herbert said. "We have an obligation as a state to defend those laws."
Oregon and Pennsylvania became the 18th and 19th states to allow gay marriage.
The governor also commented on his views on homosexuality, after being asked if he thinks approving gay marriage is analogous to the legalization of interracial marriage 47 years ago.
"What you choose to do with your sexual orientation is different in my mind than what you're born with as far as your race," Herbert said.
He added later: "What your attraction may be is something else, but how you act upon those impulses is a choice."
Netto said the governor's comments show a lack of understanding about how Utah's laws affect same-sex couples and their families.
"We are quite confident that the 18 or 19 states that have legal marriage are not in a state of anarchy, and there has been no damage down to heterosexual marriage," he told The Tribune. "We absolutely think he should apologize, and we think he should reach out and we think he should get some education."
"What you choose to do with your sexual orientation is different in my mind than what you're born with as far as your race," Herbert said.
It's Utah. I'm surprised he didn't say that the only thing that protects him form those marauding faggots for equality is his magic Mormon underpants.
Gary Herbert is a nice guy, a good family person, and speaks in the guise of the governor for the LDS church.
He is wrong about homosexuality being a choice.
He is wrong in saying not defending state laws leads to anarchy.
Because, you know, even suggesting being gay might be a choice is hate speech.
Most of our rights are based on choices, not on how one was born.
Speech, press, assembly, religion, guns...all choices protected as rights.
It's Utah. I'm surprised he didn't say that the only thing that protects him form those marauding faggots for equality is his magic Mormon underpants.
Gary Herbert is a nice guy, a good family person, and speaks in the guise of the governor for the LDS church.
He is wrong about homosexuality being a choice.
He is wrong in saying not defending state laws leads to anarchy.
Gee, guy, A Mormon trying to impose his silly cult on other people.
Good thing we dodged that bullet nationally, eh?
Gary Herbert is a nice guy, a good family person, and speaks in the guise of the governor for the LDS church.
He is wrong about homosexuality being a choice.
He is wrong in saying not defending state laws leads to anarchy.
Gee, guy, A Mormon trying to impose his silly cult on other people.
Good thing we dodged that bullet nationally, eh?
He's not imposing anything. He's speaking freely....something that the constitution guarantees. And his statement isn't necessarily false either.
He's right when he said: "What your attraction may be is something else, but how you act upon those impulses is a choice."
Yes, the only choice is in acting upon our natural or god-given attractions. In a free society, why should it matter if we choose to act upon our attractions as long as it is with other consenting adults? Why should that disqualify us from equal protection under the law for our partnerships?
The Governor should be asked how he would feel if California were to pass a law, by people's referendum, that would prohibit Mormons from getting a civil marriage license.
He's right when he said: "What your attraction may be is something else, but how you act upon those impulses is a choice."
Yes, the only choice is in acting upon our natural or god-given attractions. In a free society, why should it matter if we choose to act upon our attractions as long as it is with other consenting adults? Why should that disqualify us from equal protection under the law for our partnerships?
The Governor should be asked how he would feel if California were to pass a law, by people's referendum, that would prohibit Mormons from getting a civil marriage license.
No one is limiting your partnerships. You are as free to write a partnership agreement as anyone else.
There is a Constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of religion. There is no Constitutionally guaranteed right to fuck.
He's right when he said: "What your attraction may be is something else, but how you act upon those impulses is a choice."
Yes, the only choice is in acting upon our natural or god-given attractions. In a free society, why should it matter if we choose to act upon our attractions as long as it is with other consenting adults? Why should that disqualify us from equal protection under the law for our partnerships?
The Governor should be asked how he would feel if California were to pass a law, by people's referendum, that would prohibit Mormons from getting a civil marriage license.
No one is limiting your partnerships. You are as free to write a partnership agreement as anyone else.
There is a Constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of religion. There is no Constitutionally guaranteed right to fuck.
Most of our rights are based on choices, not on how one was born.
Speech, press, assembly, religion, guns...all choices protected as rights.
I choose not to read your posts anymore.
