As the session rushed to a close late Wednesday night, legislators decided to push through a short bill that would outlaw in Utah same-sex marriages performed in other states or countries.
"This bill doesn't change Utah law at all. It is just a precaution," said Rep. Norm Nielsen, R-Orem, the bill's sponsor.The bill was opposed by both gay Republican and Democratic groups. But their opposition held no sway.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taken a moral position against same-sex marriages, and more than 80 percent of Utah lawmakers are active members of the LDS Church.
It is already illegal for people of the same sex to be married in Utah. It is also specifically against the law in 35 other states.
But Utah law also says it recognizes marriages in other states. Thus, if another state legalizes same-sex marriages, then theoretically those marriages could be recognized in Utah.
Rumors ran through the Legislature late Wednesday that Gov. Mike Leavitt wanted Nielsen's bill to pass. It had been stuck in the House Rules Committee for weeks.
Leavitt denied that he "pushed" for the bill.
But he said that Wednesday he "became aware of the issue" and his staff talked to Attorney General Jan Graham and other "outside legal experts" about the merits of the bill.
After Colorado citizens passed a citizen initiative that said homosexuals shouldn't get any special rights, gay and lesbian groups started a widely publicized boycott of ski resorts and other tourism destinations in the state.
Leavitt was asked if he believes the gay opposition to the Utah bill could harm Utah's bid before the International Olympic Committee in June to host the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
"I don't think this will affect the IOC bid at all," said Leavitt. "I'll certainly be disappointed if it is a problem."