Utah's governor says religious freedom legislation will likely soon be introduced by state lawmakers in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision that will allow same-sex marriages to move forward there,
the Washington Post reports.
Gov. Gary Herbert told reporters on a conference call last week that he suspects the issue will arise in his state where lawmakers grapple with protecting people of faith who oppose such unions.
Noting that he hadn't heard complaints since the Supreme Court ruling, Herbert nonetheless feels it may be necessary to update language surrounding the state's marriage laws.
Already one Utah lawmaker say he plans to sponsor legislation and a constitutional amendment that makes certain those members of the clergy who disapprove are not required to officiate at same-sex ceremonies,
the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
"It's a sad state of affairs that we feel like we have to prop up the First Amendment" and the protection of religion afforded under it, Rep. Jacob Anderegg, a Republican who represents Lehi told the Tribune.
He chided the high court for trampling on the 10th amendment as well as states rights, noting what he views as an overreach: "So at what point are they also going to quash First Amendment rights?"
Anderegg told the Tribune that he is not attempting to keep same-sex couples from getting married. "They just may have to find someone else who's OK with it" to perform their ceremonies, he said.
The Utah Supreme Court lifted its stay last week of same-sex adoptions, two weeks after the state said it would not continue a legal battle over those cases,
the Huffington Post reported.
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