SALT LAKE CITY -- While the LGBTQ Community rejoices in Wednesday's ruling, conservative groups are disappointed.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement and the two most prominent conservative think tanks in the state are reacting to the ruling. Not only are they standing behind the state, which plans to take this fight to the top, but they believe the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in their favor.
"Of course this is disappointing," said David Buer, a spokesman for Sutherland Institute.
Gayle Ruzicka, president of Utah Eagle Forum, spoke about the court’s decision.
"We expected it to be a split decision,” she said. “We hoped it would be favorable to Utah's law on marriage, but knowing all along we were on our way to The Supreme Court.”
She's a well-known political activist who has been vocal about her views on traditional marriage and believes changing its definition would change the dynamics of family, ultimately hurting children.
"Marriage is a legal union between a man and woman, and that's a legal union between a man and woman because every child deserves a mother and a father," Ruzicka said.
Buer also spoke in favor of traditional marriage.
"Children truly benefit when they are raised by their mother and father," Buer said.
He said with Utah's robust legal team ready to take the case to The U.S. Supreme Court, he thinks the high court will side with the state.
"It is our belief that on important issues like this, states should be able to determine their values and their laws,” he said. “Utah is not like California, Utah is not like Massachusetts, so Utah voters should be able to determine outcomes like this and we are hopeful that the Supreme Court will respect that and not impose their view on the voters in the state of Utah.”
"Marriage is a states’ issue," Ruzicka said in an interview with FOX 13 News. "A handful of federal judges should not now or ever have authority to overturn Utah law."
The LDS Church also chimed in, releasing a statement saying "The Church has been consistent in its support of marriage between a man and woman and teaches that all people should be treated with respect. In anticipation that the case will be brought before The U.S. Supreme Court, it is our hope that the nation's highest court will uphold traditional marriage."
