Utah Legislature Passes Extraordinary LGBT Nondiscrimination Bill By Huge Margin
Utah, with the support of the Mormon Church, has passed a landmark LGBT anti-discrimination and religious freedom bill.
Overnight, by a huge margin, the Republican-majority Utah House passed an historic nondiscrimination bill that offers job and employment protections for LGBT people. The “Utah Compromise” adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the existing state nondiscrimination law.
The bill, SB 296, also adds language to exempt religious institutions and the Boy Scouts from having to comply with these protections.
View from the floor of the House during #sb296 debate. #utpol #utleg pic.twitter.com/jLuVHTbICV
— Craig Hall (@hcraighall) March 12, 2015
But the House also passed SB 297, which would allow clerks to opt out of officiating at same-sex weddings, citing a deeply held religious belief as their reason. The bill reportedly ensures same-sex couples will not be turned away at the marriage bureau.
Fox 13’s Ben Winslow reports SB 296 “which has been attempted for years in the Utah State Legislature, got massive support after it received the blessing of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. SB296 was the product of heavy negotiations between its sponsors, gay rights groups and the LDS Church.“
SB 296 passed by a huge 65-10 vote, and SB 297 passed by a huge 66-9 vote.
Utah Republican Governor Gary Herbert will hold a special ceremony to sign SB 296 into law this evening.
The Utah House also passed HB 322, a religious license to discriminate bill, in a 54-21 vote. It heads to the Senate today.Â
“I think it will have a difficult time in the Senate,†Democratic Sen. Jim Dabakis told Fox 13’s Winslow.
The House reading clerk is crying. Can’t even finish reading the next bill. @fox13now #utpol #LGBT #SB296
— Ben Winslow (@BenWinslow) March 12, 2015
Â
Â
Image by Craig Hall via Twitter
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.