Nice take by a prominent Utah columnist. The Salt Lake Tribune -- Mullen: Utah's petty little stand can't stop gay-marriage avalanche Last night, on a local news broadcast, one of the legislators supporting the gay marriage ban said that a gay marriage ban was needed because it would "up-end" things like tax laws, etc. How? It would merely grant individuals more rights. Last time I checked, any inconveniences incurred in granting civil rights was not enough to stop the granting of those rights. Can you imagine this argument actually flying? If this was the case, women and blacks would not be able to vote and own property. The sad things is is that I wish I could dismiss this sentiment as something from a kooky Utah legislator, but unfortunately, it appears to be a sentiment held by half the population of the U.S.