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Rally shows support for plaintiffs in Amendment 3 case

Posted at 9:56 PM, Apr 07, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-07 23:56:24-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- Several hundred people gathered at Library Square Monday to show their support and provide a celebratory send-off for the plaintiffs headed to Denver to hear arguments on the Amendment 3 ruling.

The same-sex couples are fighting to uphold the overturning of Amendment 3, which provides marriage equality for same-sex couples in Utah.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver will hear arguments in Utah’s appeal of the federal court decision that struck down the state’s ban on gay marriage.

Amendment 3 defines marriage between a man and woman. It was struck down last December by a federal judge.

"You will make marriage equality possible here in Utah and elsewhere. On to Denver," exclaimed Kody Partridge, one of the plaintiffs in this case.

As the plaintiffs spoke Monday evening and thanked the hundreds of supporters, those supporters were there to thank the plaintiffs and show them just how many people were behind them this week as they head to Denver.

"All we want America is a slow cooked, locally sourced, community supported, fully sustainable, legally recognized, Utah marriage," said plaintiff Moudi Sbeity.

These plaintiffs, though fighting for their own rights, say they will be representing all of Utah while in Denver.

"We plaintiffs represent all of you. We represent Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists, Mormons, Episcopalians, and Catholics and whoever else is there," said plaintiff Kate Call.

Supporters sent the plaintiffs off with heart-shaped papers with messages of encouragement and support.

"I said, ‘good luck -- not that I think we need it but everyone could use some luck in this situation,’" said Kacey Figgat.

Brig Bagley also sent them off with his sentiments.

"I said, ‘you don't need luck, you're on the right side of history,’" Bagley said.

Not everyone in Utah is supportive of same-sex marriage.

A number of organizations, including conservative think-tank the Sutherland Institute, have been outspoken in support of traditional marriage between a man and a woman.

"Marriage has always been the way that our society encourages men and women to join together, and to do so in a way that recognizes the entitlement of children to be raised by a mother and father," said Bill Duncan with Marriage and Family Law Foundation and the Sutherland Institute.

FOX 13 News also reached out to the Attorney General's office for this story, but they refused to comment.

Both sides of the Amendment 3 issue will be argued beginning Thursday.

FOX 13 News will have a team there to bring the latest throughout the week.