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Source: Standard-Examiner, Ogden, UtahJan.self storage 11--OGDEN -- Since the court decision on same-sex marriage there has been anything but civility and acceptance in Utah, according to some Utah state legislators and public speakers who have even received death threats from LGBT supporters for their opposition on same-sex marriage.U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced Friday he will be accepting marriage licenses for around 1,000 same-sex couples in Utah while the decision by U.S. District Judge Shelby is on hold. Couples will be able to receive federal benefits during this time. For now licenses aren't being recognized in Utah, the state that issued them -- even though they have been officially recorded.Richard Mack, a former Arizona sheriff and Provo city police officer, traveled from Arizona to Utah last weekend for a public speaking engagement in Highland.The purpose of the event was to discuss state's rights issues and how Utahns don't have to turn to the federal government for everything.Since Mack's visit he has grabbed local and national headlines for what some have called a "hate rally" or "uprising" against the LGBT community. Mack said it was nothing of the sort. He just offered his opinion of Judge Shelby's decision when an off-topic question led the discussion toward same-sex marriage.Mack, a public speaker, says he hasn't had death threats related to his opinion on same-sex marriage before. Not until his visit to Utah and it has come from LGBT supporters in Utah."I've had several death threats," Mack said, adding that he reported them to law enforcment. The threats have also extended to his family.One wrote on his Facebook page that Mack better change his tone, saying, "I can't stand bigots and you deserve to be beaten to death you piece of (expletive). Have another hate rally in Salt Lake and I guarantee someone will (expletive) you up." Another post said, "One bloodbath coming your way; you better keep looking behind yourself and family."He said an organization of people preaching equality and acceptance isn't doing their cause any favors by these actions and he called on the Human Rights Campaign to "condemn this (action).""If you disagree with them, then they want to kill you?" he asked.Mack presented a Supreme Court decision at his speaking engagement known as Printz V. United States in which he sued the feds and won. As an Arizona sheriff in the mid-1990s, he challenged the constitutionality of the Brady Bill and sued the Clinton administration for using a congressional action to force states to do background checks during gun sales."The original intent was to show a supreme landmark decision that proves state legislation is not subject to federal direction," Mack told the Standard-Examiner Friday. "The states formed the federal government -- not the other way around."Authorities in Weber, Davis and Box Elder counties said there have been no reports of death threats. However, in Davis County where 160 same-sex marriage licenses were issued, a person called telling dispatch "our (county) clerks needed to be arrested for performing those marriages," according to Davis County Sheriff's Sgt. Sue Poulsen.Rep. Jeremy A. Peterson, R-Ogden, who has been public about his thoughts on the ruling, said he hasn't received death threats, but the response toward him and his famliy has been "visceral."In the decision-making process he hopes the courts can have "thoughtful minds that check their emotions at the door.""The divisiveness on the issue is unhelpful," he said. "This is unhelpful in crafting thoughtful policy."Rep. Jennifer Seelig, D-Sa迷利倉t Lake County, says the way the state has handled the whole situation is causing people to become very hurt and frustrated, especially with the governor."It is a human rights issue and it is a constitutional issue."At this point, Rep. Paul Ray R-Clinton, says he doesn't see a need for making new law this upcoming session, but the Legislature will have to open up extra money in the state budget to fight the case.For now he has heard mostly outrage from his constituents who are upset with the ruling and even more frustrated Shelby didn't offer a stay with the ruling."They kind of felt like not offering a stay was like putting salt in the wound," he said.Ray said people have Shelby to blame for all the back and forth on licenses being valid. That is why the state wanted a stay in the first place, he said.Seelig disagrees with those who say this is solely a state sovereignty issue."It's the United States Constitution and they don't get to cherry pick it," she said."They don't get to observe parts that they like and ignore parts that they don't."Part of the biggest confusion right now is how to interpret the stay on the Dec. 20 decision. The Supreme Court's lack of guidance about what should be recognized during the stay can be read both ways, according to Ogden attorney E. Kent Winward."That is why people are going, 'What the hell do we do?'"Winward believes the state is entering dicey territory by deciding to make the stay retroactive by not recognizing same-sex marriages made before Jan. 6. The American Civil Liberties Union wants those marriages to remain valid."The state needs to show why it is OK to harm these people (by not getting state benefits) in this way."Winward says the state should adapt and recognize unions from other states also, which is what Amendment 3 denies. "Are you going to tell them they aren't welcome here, if they got married somewhere else?"He said he doesn't understand the state government involvement. "I get it when it comes to religions, but I guess the question is for the government's sake, why do we care?"Ray says activists are really stretching the Constitution about being a lesser-class person just because they can't do something."If you go by their premise, on every decision I make where someone loses, I am violating the Constitution. If you want a bank loan for a million dollars, but you are denied, then (they would say) the bank makes you a lesser-class citizen."This upcoming legislative session Rep. Lee Perry R-Perry, believes there will be some bills filed related to the issue. House Bill 231 sponsored by Rep. Jacob Anderegg, R-Lehi, is the only marriage bill currently on file for the 2014 session. It would make it so religious institutions wouldn't be forced to perform a marriage that violates their beliefs."We have a judge that I think is taking away our states' rights as voters," Perry said.Perry said the majority of Utah citizens voted for Amendment 3 and for a judge to change it without a vote was "disturbing.""I don't think that is appropriate," he said.Perry mentioned a stay went into place when the placement of the Highway Patrol memorial crosses was being contested. The crosses stayed in place until a decision was hammered out in the courts."A stay solved a lot of problems because we didn't know where (the case) was going to go."Contact reporter Cimaron Neugebauer 801-625-4231 or cneugebauer@standard.net Follow him on Twitter at @CimCity.Copyright: ___ (c)2014 the Standard-Examiner (Ogden, Utah) Visit the Standard-Examiner (Ogden, Utah) at .standard.net Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉