SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AP) — Sen. Orrin Hatch, who earlier this year had some kind words about polygamists, is expressing concern that Utah’s ban on polygamy may be held invalid in light of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning a Texas law against consensual sodomy by homosexuals.

“The legal argument is there,” Hatch told The Salt Lake Tribune. “The current Supreme Court ruled that whether a majority of the public opposes a particular practice as immoral, it’s not sufficient reason for upholding a law prohibiting that practice.”

He also was concerned about the ruling’s potential to legalize same-sex marriage.

“I’m always concerned when the Supreme Court creates new rights out of thin air that are not in the Constitution,” the Utah Republican said in a recent interview. “I believe God sanctioned a marriage between a man and a woman and this court decision is being interpreted by some to fly in the face of that.”

MONTCLAIR, N.J. (AP) — Montclair State University students seeking to launch a chapter of a national evangelical group have suffered another setback, but the decision may be challenged in the courts.

The school’s Student Government Association recently approved the Campus Crusade for Christ group, just months after an initial bid was rejected. However, association President Jacob V. Hudnut vetoed that decision, and efforts to overturn the ruling were unsuccessful.

Hudnut, who is gay, said the group demonstrated its intolerance for gays and lesbians when it made a presentation to the campus legislature. He said they also showed insensitivity toward non-Christian religions.

“It calls into question the type of environment this leadership would create,” Hudnut said in a prepared statement.

Mark Scott, a Campus Crusade staff member who works with the group’s New Jersey chapters, said the group may sue the association.

“We don’t beat people over the head with Bibles. We simply want to be a spiritual resource for students at Montclair State University,” Scott said. “It’s obvious they are keeping us out because of our beliefs.”

ROME, Ga. (AP) — An Episcopal priest who wrote an article sympathetic to the church’s confirmation of an openly gay priest as a bishop resigned from a private religious school after administrators asked him to apologize to dozens of people upset with his views.

Merchant wrote in a Sept. 3 column in the school newspaper that God is more concerned with spirituality than sexual orientation.

“I didn’t have to ponder where I stood,” Merchant told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “But I took time to keep it brief and try to explain my beliefs. I was trying to convey it in a positive way.”

After the column appeared, school president David Hicks and headmaster David Rhodes told Merchant that some school donors were considering withdrawing their support at the academy. They asked him to initiate between 50 and 75 one-on-one meetings over a month to apologize to individuals upset with the article.

Merchant refused, calling the request “morally and academically intolerable,” and resigned.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The head of the Charlotte Rescue Mission says he doesn’t want members of a church for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to serve a meal to his clients.

“We can not endorse a church that openly teaches that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle,” Marciano said. “Our problem is that the churches that come here, it sends a message to the clients that, ‘We want you to attend that church.’”

The Rev. Mick Hinson called the decision an “outrage” and “absurd,” but said he’ll continue to encourage the 225 members of his church to help the mission, which offers a Christ-centered, residential treatment program for 144 substance abusers.

Members of Metropolitan Community Church offered in September to prepare and serve a meal at the mission, as do many other congregations.

The church’s invitation was rescinded after the mission found that it ministered primarily to gays, Marciano said.

NEW YORK (AP) — Actress Rosie O’Donnell and a publishing company are squaring off in a multimillion-dollar trial over who’s to blame for the failure of her celebrated magazine, Rosie, a year ago.

O’Donnell contends she left the magazine because Gruner + Jahr USA was denying her the editorial control she had been promised. G+J claims O’Donnell was a volatile, unprofessional manager who broke her contract.

The magazine, launched in 2001, folded quickly after O’Donnell resigned in September, 2002. G+J is seeking $100 million from O’Donnell. She is asking $125 million in a countersuit.

The trial comes as O’Donnell prepares to launch Taboo, a boisterous musical about Boy George — and starring Boy George in a different role — that O’Donnell has confidently predicted will win a Tony Award next summer. She is the $10 million show’s producer and single investor.