Utah Man Goes on Hunger Strike to Stop Gay Marriage

A man from Utah is hoping his hunger strike will halt state officials from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, ABC's Salt Lake City affiliate KTVX reports.

Trestin Meacham, 35, says he will fast until Utah nullifies a recent decision that gives same-sex couples the legal right to tie the knot. Though a number of Utahans negatively reacted to the decision, it seems like Meacham's hunger strike is among the most drastic.

"I'm very disappointed," Meacham told KTVX. "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."

According to KTVX, Meacham hasn't had anything to eat since Dec. 21. He went on to say that the state has an option it's not using and he's starving himself to convince Utah officials to "nullify" the federal court ruling to legalize gay marriage. In hisblog he says the state has a right to override the ruling.

"Jefferson made clear that the courts are not the supreme arbitrators of what is and what is not constitutional. The states also have power," said Meacham.

"I cannot stand by and do nothing while this evil takes root in my home," he wrote in his blog. "Some things in life are worth sacrificing one's health 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. Nevertheless, I can do something that people in power cannot ignore."

Attorney Greg Skordas told KTVX that the state cannot nullify the ruling.

"If people want to change that they have to go through the appropriate processes," Skordas said. "When individual personal liberties are at stake the state can't infringe on that, even if it's the will of the people."

Meacham isn't accepting that, however. According to KTVX, he's already lost 25 pounds.

"I had to punch a hole in my belt to make it fit," he said.

He says he will continue the hunger strike until Utah officials take action.

"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.