No Court Ruling Can Change the Truth
“Steady as she goes.” That was the advice given to our family a few years ago when we experienced a sudden tragic death, and that’s the advice we share with all who are grieving over the sudden loss of Utah’s Marriage amendment.
Judge Robert Shelby’s ruling striking down Amendment 3 has left thousands of Utahans feeling shocked, betrayed, and confused. As Utah Governor Gary Herbert stated, this ruling “has created a chaotic situation in our state.”
Timeline:
• Friday Dec 20 – Obama-appointed U.S. Federal District Court Judge Robert Shelby overturned Utah’s Amendment 3, which legally defined marriage between a man and a woman, and was approved by 66% of Utah voters in 2004.
• Monday Dec 23 – District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby denied Utah’s request for a “stay,“ which would to stop same-sex weddings while this case is being appealed.
• Monday Dec 23 – County officials in Utah, Box Elder, Piute, and San Juan counties decline issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples until they received further clarification and direction. Cache County stopped issuing marriage licenses altogether and closed its doors.
• Governor Herbert appointed Sean Reyes as Utah’s new Attorney General
• Tuesday Dec 24 –10th Circuit Appeals Court denied Utah’s request for a stay.
• Cache and Juab counties changed their policies and began issuing licenses to same-sex couples.
• Thursday Dec 26 – Utah, Box Elder, San Juan and Piute counties confirmed that they will issue marriage licenses to same sex couples.
• Utah Attorney General’s office stated it is seeking outside legal counsel and it will be a few days before they file their request for an emergency stay on same-sex weddings with the Supreme Court.
Since Utah’s Marriage Amendment was overturned a week ago, over 900 same-sex couples have been married in Utah. In addition, the appeals process may take several months. In reality, this situation is so unstable and unprecedented that we may not be able to predict what happens next, or when.
But no court ruling can change the truth: Children still need a mother and father, and marriage between a man and a woman is still the foundation of society.
So in the wake of “Judicial Tyranny,” and multiple refusals to grant a stay, what can we do?
• Hold on to your beliefs, your marriage, and your children. Teach your children the importance of fathers and mothers and marriage, while treating everyone with kindness and respect. We may be called bigots for our positions (I’ve even been called a terrorist), but we will just handle it the best we can.
• Regardless of where you live, please educate yourself on what is happening in your area. Do you know what your children are being taught in school? What laws are your government officials considering?
• Forward this email to friends and encourage them to sign up for our weekly educational alerts on family issues.
• Donate to United Families today.
United Families is doing all we can to defend the importance of Natural Marriage in Utah and to educate Utahans on the dangers of proposed nondiscrimination laws. As a partner in the the “First Freedoms Coalition,” we have had several recent media interviews, including The Deseret News, Rod Arquette radio show(59:00), “On the Mark” radio talk show from St. George, and an interview with the New York Times (not printed yet).
Steady as she goes, everyone. This is not a time to give up, it is a time to wake up.
We would be grateful for your most generous end-of-year donation to help us continue this important work!
Thank you so much,
Laura Bunker
President, United Families International