[Active-l] (ACTION ITEM) (UTAH) Family Research Council ACTION ITEM to support Utah anti-GBLT parental-rights bill

[Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)]

	The Family Research Council has sent out a NATIONAL action item to 
support a Utah bill that would restrict the rights of GBLT partners to 
have access to their children. Based upon what I know so far, I 
recommend opposing this bill and urging the governor to veto it.
					- Dara

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Governor Huntsman of Utah should sign HB 148
March 13, 2006 - Monday
Utah (more on this state)
Forward to a Friend!

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06C05

During the recent legislative session in Utah, Representative LaVar 
Christensen introduced House Bill 148. This bill is critical to protect 
the rights of parents from abuse of the doctrine of "in loco parentis". 
View the entire text of the bill here.

"In loco parentis" (in the place of the parent) is a doctrine that 
recognizes temporary, voluntary delegations of parental authority to a 
babysitter or a school when someone besides the parent is caring for a 
child.

However, non-parents and non-relatives (especially lesbian ex-partners) 
have abused the doctrine to claim permanent custody over children who 
are not legally their own. These caretakers have sued for visitation 
rights on the basis of a "psychological relationship" with the child. 
For an excellent article on these bitter battles, click here.

The gay rights lobby has spread misinformation in Utah about this bill. 
They claim that it will squelch the rights of grandparents or divorced 
parents. (The actual bill explicitly protects the rights of parents, 
whether biological or adoptive, and grandparents.)

There is a national effort going on to persuade Governor Huntsman to 
veto HB 148. His office has received phone calls, e-mails and letters 
urging him to veto this critical protection of the rights of legal 
parents.Contact Governor Huntsman today to let him know that he should 
not veto HB 148 but sign it into law. Timing on this is URGENT, as he 
is likely to make a decision by Tuesday, March 14. E-mail is the 
fastest way to urge the Governor to protect parents' rights and sign HB 
148 into law.

You can also write, fax or call the Governor:

Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr.
Utah State Capitol Complex
East Office Building, Suite E220
PO Box 142220
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-2220
801-538-1000
800-705-2464
Fax 801-538-1528

Thank you for your support and please forward this message to your 
family and friends.