Utah

Utah to appeal gay marriage case to Supreme Court

By Michael Winter — July 10, 2014
(RNS) Attorney General Sean Reyes decided to leapfrog the full 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a three-judge panel last month upheld a lower-court ruling and declared that the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of equal protection and due process extend to gay men and lesbians who want to marry.

Orrin Hatch says gay marriage as ‘law of the land’ is inevitable

By Dan Harrie — May 29, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) "Anybody who does not believe that gay marriage is going to be the law of the land just hasn’t been observing what’s going on,” Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch said.

Provo is the nation’s happiest town, but is it worth visiting?

By Jayne Clark — April 28, 2014
PROVO, Utah (RNS) Given that so many locals share common Mormon-inspired values, it's fair to question whether the heightened sense of well-being comes from living among like-minded souls. Yes and no, locals say.

Holi festival a hit not only among Hindus

By Katherine Davis-Young — March 17, 2014
(RNS) At the largest Holi festival in the United States, the majority of participants aren't Hindus. They're Mormons.

Same-sex couples shatter marriage records in Utah

By Marissa Lang — December 27, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) In the week since a federal judge overturned Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage, the number of weddings in the state has skyrocketed, shattering records and accruing thousands of dollars for Utah’s 29 counties.

After historic ruling, Utah couple spends first Christmas as Mrs. and Mrs.

By Marissa Lang — December 26, 2013
(RNS) Christmas this year brought the warm consistency of tradition, of family and friends, of food and gifts and decorations hung with care. But it also brought the realization that in the five days since a federal judge overturned Utah’s ban on same-sex marriages, so much had changed for the state's gay and lesbian couples.

As state prepares appeal, Utah same-sex couples rush to wed

By Elizabeth Weise — December 24, 2013
(RNS) For now, a state considered as one of the most conservative in the nation, has joined the likes of California and New York where same-sex couples can legally wed. Legal experts say that even if a judge halts the weddings, the licenses that have already been issued will likely still be valid.

Years of tension yield to thaw between gays, Mormons

By Peggy Fletcher Stack — January 3, 2013
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) After years of tension between Mormons and gay rights activists -- with political action and theological pronouncements on one side, protests and pain on the other -- the gulf between the two groups has begun to narrow. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

New Mormon website features softer, gentler tone on gays

By Peggy Fletcher Stack — December 7, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) The Mormon church is not changing its tune about homosexuality, but it has launched a new website to alter the tone. The site includes video clips of gay members and their families promoting compassion and understanding toward homosexuals, and encouraging everyone to be "disciples of Christ.'' By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

12 myths about Mormonism

By Peggy Fletcher Stack — November 5, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) All those stories about Mitt Romney's White House bid and his Mormon faith educated millions of observant Americans about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Still, some “understandings” remain misunderstandings — and many views of the religion continue to be skewed, exaggerated or flat-out wrong. Here are 12 persistent myths about Mormonism. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

Poll: Mormons excited about Romney’s rise, but wary of media

By Daniel Burke — June 25, 2012

(RNS) Three out of four Mormons said Mitt Romney's rise to become the presumptive GOP presidential nominee is a good thing for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But less than a quarter expect the media to cover the church fairly, according to a new poll. By Daniel Burke.

Idaho bans ‘Five Wives’ vodka over risque label

By Dawn House — May 30, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Idaho regulators have decided not to carry Five Wives Vodka because of its label, while Utah booze cops have deemed the bottle’s depiction of 19th-century women in petticoats holding kittens near their lady parts as acceptable. By Dawn House.

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