Utah State Sen. Patricia Jones, a Democrat who had long been considered an ally to the LGBT community, recently voted against a bill that would have allowed second parent adoptions in the state of Utah. This bill is particularly important for same-sex couples raising children in the state of Utah, since the state does not recognize same-sex marriage. The bill would have created legal recognition for both parents in an LGBT household; whereas under current law, only one parent in a same-sex household is guaranteed all legal rights.

Despite a decade of verbal support for the LGBT community. State Sen. Jones sadly turned her back on the LGBT community with her vote on this bill, telling voters in a town hall meeting that she stands by her vote to bar full legal rights for LGBT parents.

"I live in an area, as many of you are aware ... that's really very conservative. I have walked this district five times, five election cycles. I feel like I know what's on the minds of the constituents in this area," State Sen. Jones said. "My personal belief is that marriage should be between one man and one woman, and that kids are better served ... in a traditional family."

So much for being an ally to the LGBT community. As one LGBT constituent told Pride in Utah over State Sen. Jones' vote: "This is an abrupt about-face on everything she has told me, and I would like to know what has caused her to all of a sudden change her mind? A legislator is not just a representative of the people, a legislator is supposed to be a leader. She is supposed to lead the people of her district into a better future."

State Sen. Jones failed in that duty, and she should hear from those who support the rights of same-sex couples to raise children. This is the type of vote one might expect from a legislator more in-tune with the National Organization for Marriage or Focus on the Family than her LGBT constituents and straight allies. Demand that State Sen. Jones apologize for this vote, and affirm the rights of same-sex couples to raise children together in the state of Utah.