Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. [pictured], said Monday, that Huntsman backs Equality Utah's Common Ground Initiative, a legislative effort that would provide some rights to gay and transgender Utahns. Even more, the Republican governor favors civil unions.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. was honored by Utah's GLBT community at this year's pride festival.

The Utah Pride Center and other organizations have picked Huntsman for the Pete Suazo Political Action Award.

Huntsman is the first Utah governor to openly support civil unions for same-sex couples.

Earlier this year, he also endorsed the Common Ground Initiative, a campaign for basic legal protections for gay and transgender Utahns that fizzled in the Legislature.