Sen. Orrin Hatch Backs Civil Unions In Order To Ward Off Same-Sex Marriage

In an interview with a Utah radio station, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) suggested that legalizing civil unions would be a great way to ward off the national advent of same-sex marriage.

"I’ll say this, I do believe this could be solved greatly by a civil-union law that would give gay people the same rights as married people," said Hatch, who mentioned hospital visitations and tax benefits. "I think we can solve this problem without undermining the very basis of marital law in our country." Six states offer civil unions, including Colorado and Hawaii, while nine others and the District of Columbia have legalized gay marriage. Same-sex marriage is illegal in the rest of the nation. The senator and his office did not immediately respond to a request for comment and elaboration.

Hatch also told the station that he does not believe people choose to be gay, but that he "draws the line on traditional marriage."

RELATED: During the 2012 presidential election campaign Hatch appeared to buck Mitt Romney when he said that he did not support a federal constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Hatch later retreated from that position saying that he merely thinks the issue should be left up to the states. A call for a federal ban remains on his website.