Posted // 2010-03-08 - update 4:30 p.m. 3/8/10: This has been revealed as a hoax. Read more here: Punk a Bull, You Get the Horns
A group calling itself Patriots for a Moral Utah will announce legislation at a 1 p.m. press conference today that would bring an "effective end to the tribulation in our blessed state." Hopefully not too good to be true--who doesn't want to end tribulation?--the press release states the legislation will deal with homosexuals who "continually force their choices and behaviors on us."
Besides naming the legislation "Utah Fair Solution," the press release offers no specifics on the legislation.
According to the press release,
In the past 5 years it has become increasingly difficult and troublesome for the stead-fast and moral citizens of Utah to live their lives and their faith in peace, while the homosexuals continually force their choices and behaviors on us.
The press release is signed by Paul Jackson of Patriots for a Moral Utah.
Remember the moratorium? Supposedly the gay rights community was going to hold off on fair-housing and fair-employment legislation, and others, for at least one year if the anti-gay crowd would hold off on legislation that would irk the gay rights folks during that same time. That made just about everyone angry, but the anger subsided quickly as the 45-day Legislative session whipped into high gear.
Now, in the last week of the session, comes this press release. I don't know how seriously to take it. Smarter people than me: can someone even introduce legislation in the last week? Aren't there deadlines? Who is Paul Jackson and has anyone heard of Patriots for a Moral Utah before now? The press release names Nora Young as president. Anyone know her?
Chad, this is not anger, and if you are trying to make Utah a better place, then why don't you speak up?
Silence never won rights. They are not handed down from above; they are forced by pressures from below. ~Roger Baldwin
The sad thing is that none of the people I have talked to about this found it surprising. We all just figured it was more of "that's how Utah rolls." Deserved or not, those of us who don't live in Utah increasingly see it as a breathtakingly unwelcoming place.
Does this mean an end to the really unsettling ads for Crossdresser Wigs and Realtors in CW?
I think that we've been punkied. This looks like a hoax. The group has no web presence?
I found it amusing that Patriots for a Moral Utah claim in their statement that moral citizens of Utah cannot live their lives and their faith in peace, while the homosexuals continually force their choices and behaviors on us. I am as straight a male as there is but haven't the hierarchy and members of a certain religious faith made it harder for others to live their lives and faiths in peace?