SALT LAKE CITY -
Gay rights advocates are seeing a strong ally leave to serve the U.S. government per request of President Obama. Gov. Jon Huntsman accepted his role as U.S. Ambassador to China, leaving in his stead, what some would consider a more hardline conservative, Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert.
"The fact that he is now ambassador to China is a loss for us, we lost a friend," said Jacob Whipple, gay rights activist and organizer.
Whipple says that although the gay rights and LGBT community lost a friend in the Capitol who may help them change marraige law, he says that the Governor was not essential and they will not break stride in trying to push for rights in Utah.
"Governor Huntsman came out and was supporting us, but he wasn't actually in the trenches doing the fighting. He wasn't calling legislators for us, so I think our tactics are going to remain the same," said Whipple.
In February, Huntsman entered a grey area between both parties and said that he supported same-sex civil unions while supporting a traditional marriage philosophy.
"The fact that he is now ambassador to China is a loss for us, we lost a friend," said Jacob Whipple, gay rights activist and organizer.
Whipple says that although the gay rights and LGBT community lost a friend in the Capitol who may help them change marraige law, he says that the Governor was not essential and they will not break stride in trying to push for rights in Utah.
"Governor Huntsman came out and was supporting us, but he wasn't actually in the trenches doing the fighting. He wasn't calling legislators for us, so I think our tactics are going to remain the same," said Whipple.
In February, Huntsman entered a grey area between both parties and said that he supported same-sex civil unions while supporting a traditional marriage philosophy.
