A Salt Lake City man is on a hunger
strike to stop gay marriage in Utah.
More than 1,000 gay and lesbian couples
have married in the state after a federal judge declared invalid
Amendment 3, the state's voter-approved constitutional amendment
limiting marriage to heterosexual unions.
Trestin Meacham told ABC affiliate 4
Utah that he's “very disappointed” with the ruling.
“You can start a blog and you can
complain on social networks until you're blue in the face and nothing
will happen but actions speak louder than words and I'm taking
action,” he said.
Meacham wants the state to ignore the
judge's order.
“Jefferson made clear that the courts
are not the supreme arbitrators of what is and what is not
constitutional. The states also have power,” he said. “They
don't have to go through the legal court battles and waste our money,
they can end it tomorrow with the act of nullification.”
Meacham said he has lost 25 pounds.
In announcing his fast on Facebook on
December 21, Meacham called same-sex marriage “evil.”
“After explaining the situation to my
family, I have decided to pursue the following course of action.
After my dinner tonight, I will begin a fast which will not end until
all counties in Utah stop issuing marriage licenses and performing
marriages for same sex couples. Due to the rogue judge refusing to
issue a stay, this will likely take several days,” Meacham
wrote.
“I cannot stand by and do nothing
while this evil takes root in my home. Some things in life are worth
sacrificing one's heath and even life if necessary. I am but a man,
and do not have the money and power to make any noticeable influence
in our corrupt system. Never the less, I can do something that
people in power cannot ignore.”
(Related: Utah
gay marriage plaintiffs ask Supreme Court to reject request for
stay.)