LDS Member Trestin Meacham Emulates Mahatma Gandhi, Launches Fast To Stop Gay Marriage In Utah

Update January 6th: After the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of Judge Shelby's order to allow same-sex marriages, Trestin Meacham ended his fast after 15 days. On his Twitter site, he proclaimed initial victory, but said it's only a first step and still wants Utah to exercise nullification. Meacham also added that while he is opposed to same-sex marriage in principle, the reason for the fast was the unconstitutional nature of the ruling. He also said that another purpose of the fast was to "expose the hatred of the supposedly tolerant homosexual movement".

A devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has torn a page out of Mahatma Gandhi's book in an effort to stop the onset of same-sex marriage in Utah. Trestin Meacham, identified as a devout LDS member, has launched a fast which he says will remain in effect until all Utah counties stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. KTVX Channel 4 was the first Utah media outlet with the story, but now the New York Daily News has picked it up and adds to it. The Daily Mail has given this story an international push.

But his personal blog and his Twitter site offer even more information. Meacham begun his fast on December 21st, 2013, and as of January 2nd, 2014, has lost 25 pounds. He only consumes water and an occasional vitamin. Meacham told KTVX he's fasting to convince Utah to exercise the option of nullification. According to his interpretation of states’ rights, Utah can nullify the recent federal court ruling by simply choosing not to follow it, and he cites the example of a number of states which are seeking to nullify Obamacare to support his case. Meacham says that if Utah simply nullifies Judge Shelby's decision, the state won't have to spend money challenging it; KSL Channel 5 estimates the price tag for challenging could be at least $2 million. Regarding the Supremacy Clause, Meacham acknowledges that while it gives power to the Federal Government to act within the confines of the Constitution, when they act outside of the limits placed by the Constitution, the states have the power to nullify. Read his full blog post entitled "Utah Must Nullify" for the full explanation. Meacham also recommends a tutorial about state nullification posted on LibertyClassroom.

But attorney Greg Skordas, who ran unsuccessfully for Salt Lake County District Attorney in 2010, doesn't agree with Meacham's definition of nullification. Skordas said nullification doesn't work with Utah’s case; when the federal government grants someone a constitutional right, states must recognize it. He added that when individual personal liberties are at stake, the state can't infringe on that, even if it's the will of the people. Of course, Skordas is assuming that marriage is a civil right, even though we ban siblings and polygamists from contracting marriages.

Already one hatemonger has published a post disagreeing with Meacham. But like most progressives, The Blerg can't resist the personal insult, referring to Meacham as having "cold, freakishly empty eyes". Why progressives insist on indulging in childish name-calling is beyond me; they will not persuade normal, stable human beings of their point of view. Progressives are nothing more than a cancer growing on the body politic of America, but unfortunately many conservatives fail to distinguish between responsible classical liberals like Jim Matheson whose patriotism to this country and love of the Lord are beyond question, vs. progressive extremists who are agents of Satan upon planet Earth.

To counter the progressive smears, Meacham wrote "This has nothing to do with hatred of a group of people. I have friends and relatives who practice a homosexual lifestyle and I treat them with the same respect and kindness that I would anyone. This is about religious freedom, and an out of control federal government."

RightWingWatch publishes more background on Trestin Meacham. They say he is a libertarian-leaning Navy veteran who ran for the Utah State Senate in 2012 as a Conservative Party candidate. The Cultural Hall Podcast has a 15-minute audio interview with him posted HERE.

As for the continuing court fight, on Tuesday December 31st, lawyers for the state of Utah filed an emergency application for a stay to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, saying same-sex marriages being performed in Utah are an affront to the will of the state and its residents. Sotomayor is the justice who oversees the 10th Circuit. It's unknown how soon she will make a decision or whether she'll decide to refer the matter to the full court. However, we need to remember that Sotomayor joined the 5-4 majority in striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act and ruling against the proponents of California's Proposition 8 in 2012, so I would be surprised if she grants the stay.