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SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (AP) -- City officials have backed away from taking a stand against gay marriage.
The City Council had been scheduled to vote March 30 on a resolution stating that marriage in South Jordan would be recognized as being only between one man and one woman.
However, following news reports of the resolution, the city officials said Tuesday that the topic may be best to someone else.
"Such debate should exist at the state and federal level wherein lies the authority to establish laws with regard to such matters," the statement read. "The city will not discuss, nor consider a resolution on this subject."
Councilwoman Leona Winger proposed the resolution a week ago, saying that the council needed to take a moral stand. Mayor Kent Money directed the city staff to look into drafting a resolution and find out if any other city has taken similar action. Some research indicated that South Jordan would be the first Utah city to make such a statement.
The proposal to drew an angry reaction from gay activists, who said the resolution would be seen as divisive and "mean spirited" by the public.
Some council members also expressed concern that the resolution would draw unwanted attention to the city.
"We never made up our minds to begin with," said City Manager Ricky Horst.
He said the "fire storm" of controversy confirmed it was "not a subject they should address."
Horst had said earlier that the resolution, if passed, would carry no legal weight but simply reflect the sentiments of the council.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
