This week in 2013, federal judge Robert Shelby put a match to Utah's constitutional amendment that forbid same-sex marriage, which spawned a year of courtroom brawls between state leaders and equal-rights advocates that concluded when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Shelby's feat will be celebrated this week by several advocacy organizations. Also this week, a candlelight vigil will be held in Pioneer Park for the homeless, and the legislature's Prison Relocation Commission will meet.
Homeless Persons Memorial & Candlelight Vigil
Thursday, Dec. 18
To honor those who lost their lives because they lacked a home, the Fourth Street Clinic and the Salt Lake County Homeless Coordinating Council are hosting a candlelight vigil. Held in conjunction with similar events across the country, the vigil will include guest speakers as well as hot chocolate, coffee and candles.
Pioneer Park, 400 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City, Dec. 18, 5:30-6 p.m., FourthStreetClinic.org
Same-sex Marriage Anniversary
Saturday, Dec. 20
Same-sex marriage advocates aren't about to forget the day U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby ruled that Utah's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. As Utah lawmakers and those opposed to equal rights reeled, thousands of same-sex couples were wed—a courtesy of the Utah Attorney General office's failure to ask that the ruling be stayed while the case was appealed. Join Equality Utah, the Utah Pride Center, ACLU of Utah and Marriage Equality USA for a one-year anniversary toast.
Southeast corner of Trolley Square next to Wells Fargo, 700 E. 600 South, Salt Lake City, Dec. 20, 3-5 p.m., ACLUUtah.org
Prison Relocation CommissionMeeting
Monday, Dec. 22
If you live near one of the four proposed relocation sites for the Utah State Prison, you should head to the state legislature's Prison Relocation Commission meeting, where they'll discuss how the sites were chosen and how to move forward with a "public engagement plan." Given the widespread protest from proposed site communities, it's possible that the room where the commission will meet won't be big enough, so arrive early.
Senate Building, Room 210, 350 N. State, Dec. 22, 2 p.m., Le.Utah.gov
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