In a move that has surprised some, angered a few and won praise from many (including yours truly), Utah Governor Jon Huntsman has announced his support for same sex civil unions. Huntsman is both a conservative Republican and a Mormon but he has come out in support of a measure in the legislature (which has no chance of passage) to provide for civil unions in Utah.

The popular governor — who cruised to a second and, he says, final term in November — emphasized his belief in the traditional definition of marriage. “I also believe,” he told The Associated Press, “that we can do a better job in enhancing equal rights for more of our citizens.”

His announcment won wide praise from those who support the measure, a statement from the Human Rights Campaign (a long time GLBT advocacy group) stated:

“This is hopeful and inspiring news, and emphasizes the reality that … equality is not a partisan issue,” HRC President Joe Solmonese said in a statement. “We’re thrilled that Gov. Huntsman recognizes that it’s simply the right thing to do to support equality.”

However not all were thrilled with his choice, including State Representative Carl Wimmer who said

“The governor does not speak for all Utahns,” Wimmer said. Indeed, 70 percent of Utahns oppose civil unions, according to a recent Salt Lake Tribune poll.

“He wants to take us down a slippery slope to where essentially marriage is meaningless except for the name,” Wimmer added.

Observers noted that there was little to gain politically from the move since Huntsman was already re-elected in 2008 and there is little broad support for the policy among Utah voters.

I for one say GOOD JOB to a brave man willing to stand for his principles.