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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A bill recently introduced in the Utah Senate would allow government employees to refuse to marry same-sex couples, but only if they give up their right to marry anyone.
The proposal was introduced Thursday by Sen. Stuart Adams and is scheduled for a hearing on Friday. Adams is a Layton Republican who helped negotiate a compromise between the Mormon church and LGBT activists that led to landmark anti-discrimination legislation released Wednesday.
Adams' legislation would require that a county clerk's office have a designated person who will accommodate same-sex couples wishing to wed if the clerk opts out of approving those unions.
Under his proposal, religious organizations would not have to solemnize gay marriages or allow use of their facilities.
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