Man on hunger strike against gay marriage: “It will end when this stops or I am dead.”
Just consider him a modern, equality-hating, historically confused Gandhi.
A 35-year-old Utah man has decided to fast until the state nullifies marriage equality. Trestin Meacham has lost 25 pounds since starting his fast, and vows to remain vigilant on his crusade to end same-sex marriage in Utah.
“Actions speak louder than words, and I’m taking action,” Meacham told Utah ABC4 News.
Surviving on just water and an occasional vitamin since his fast began Dec. 21, Meacham vowed that the hunger strike will end “when this stops or I am dead.”
On Dec. 20, the day before the strike began, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Shelby ruled that Utah’s ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional. The decision led hundreds of same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses, infusing tens of thousands of dollars into state coffers due to the $30-$50 cost of marriage licenses, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
“This is what happens when Washington decides that a culture and way of life is incompatible with what it decrees. People of faith everywhere need to wake up, what they did to the native Americans, they are now doing to us,” Meacham wrote on Facebook.
Meacham wrote in his blog that the fast isn’t about hating gays, but about preserving religious freedom and reining in an out-of-control federal government. He says the state can nullify the ruling by simply choosing not to recognize same-sex marriage.
In 2012, Meacham ran for the Utah State Senate District 24 as a candidate for the Constitution Party. Republican Ralph Okerlund beat Meacham by 73 percentage points.
According to the Constitution Party’s national platform, members “reject the notion that homosexuals, transgenders or those who are sexually deviant are deserving of legal favor or special protection, and affirm the rights of states and localities to proscribe offensive sexual behavior. We oppose all efforts to impose a new sexual legal order through any courts or legislatures. We stand against so-called ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘hate crime’ statutes that attempt to legitimize inappropriate sexual behavior or stifle public opposition to its expression. We oppose government funding of ‘partner’ benefits for unmarried individuals. Finally, we oppose any legal recognition of homosexual or civil unions.”
You can follow Meacham on Facebook and Twitter.
Trestin Meacham Greatest Hits:
- 12/19/13: “The homosexual movement is designed to destroy freedom of religion. I’ve been saying this for years while pointing out case after case, and few cared. But if it involves someone on TV, the world comes apart! They can vandalize churches, verbally lynch religious leaders, and drive people like me from military service; and it’s okay.”
- 12/22/13: “Actually, history has shown fasting to be one of the most effective means of protests. Fasts have changed laws and brought down empires.”
- 12/27/13: “The effects of gay marriage? I’m pretty sure a cake maker and handful of photographers, who exercised their right of religious freedom can tell you about the harmful effects of gay marriage. It basically means the end of the first Amendment.”
- 1/1/14: “Take it from the son of a single parent kids need a mom and dad. There are certain things that can only be learned from a mother or father. But that is not the issue at hand here.”
- 12/25/13 (CHRISTMAS DAY!): “No I despise Washington. I don’t want to be anywhere near that city:”
At least we don’t have to worry about Meacham crowding our brunches.
Image credit: Utah NBC 4
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
