Utah Governor backs civil unions for lesbian and gay couples

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.

The Salt Lake Tribune says it’s a position that runs counter to his political party and against the majority of Utahns – 70 percent of whom oppose civil unions, according to a recent Salt Lake Tribune poll.

“He’s long supported many of the ideas that are presented within the Common Ground Initiative,” said Lisa Roskelley, the governor’s spokeswoman, noting her boss waits to endorse specific bills officially until presented to him in final form. “He supports civil unions.”

It’s doubtful Huntsman’s backing will lead to civil unions getting past the conservative Legislature. And it may not help the rest of this year’s gay-rights legislative push, which already has shrunk from four bills to two.