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Gay activists are gearing up to push five bills during next year's legislative session. Today, a group of Utah parents with gay children came forward to support the bills.
They're calling it a byproduct of California's Proposition 8. All these bills have to do with gay rights for couples and individuals.
The laws address things like this: Does a partner have the right to see a loved one in the hospital? Can landlords and employers discriminate against gay people? When death strikes a couple, does the surviving partner have probate rights?
In broad terms, officials for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have said they support rights for same-sex couples. But Church leaders have not commented on the proposed bills.
The political action group Equality Utah is taking the lead on this effort, and today's gathering of parents represents a new layer of gay rights lobbyists who plan to hit Capitol Hill next January.
"Now is not the time to sit back and be quiet anymore. Now is the time to speak up for what you believe in," said bills' supporter Cori Redstone.
Connie Stock, who also supports the gay rights bills, said, "People are in support of this. They want to see a change. And our whole nation is showing they do want a change."
Utah lawmakers aren't commenting on the proposed bills yet, but many say the Constitutional Amendment on Marriage cancels out these proposals.
One or two of the proposed bills will be addressed this week at interim meetings. We'll get a better feeling then for how they'll be received.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
