Herbert: defining marriage should be left to states

FILE PHOTO

Governor Gary Herbert addressed a large crowd of people Tuesday night who gathered in support of traditional marriage. Asked what would happen in the state of Utah if the U.S. Supreme Court changes the definition of marriage, Herbert said marriage has been defined by state law in the state constitution since 2004.

“Our constitution says that marriage is defined specifically as between a man and a woman and nothing else akin to that can be defined as marriage,” Herbert said during his state-wide monthly radio broadcast sponsored by the Utah Broadcasters Association. “So we’re pretty specific in Utah.”

Herbert said not only have Utahns already decided on the issue, but he also believes that decision should be reserved for other states to determine as well.

“I think it’s a state rights issue. Marriage has really been defined by state laws,” he continued. “Each state has different laws that pertain to marriage and the accumulation of laws over time.”

Herbert was short of predicting how the Supreme Court may rule on the matter, but felt confident about his state’s position.

“I don’t know that it will have a lot of impact on Utah.”

The Governor said in order to have successful communities we need successful families.

While supportive of marriage between one man and one woman, Herbert said he is against discrimination in such things as jobs and housing for those who are of same sex attraction in the gay community.

“The question always is do we need laws to do it and would laws be appropriate as opposed to being an encroachment to somebody else’s civil rights. It’s going to be an ongoing evolutionary process and who knows what the next 100 years will bring.”

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