SALT LAKE CITY — After seven years of debate and a historic compromise, the Utah House of Representatives on March 11 voted final passage of a bill to enact the state’s first statewide nondiscrimination protections for the gay and transgender community, while providing safeguards for religious liberty.
The 65–10 vote was the last legislative hurdle for the bill, just one week after it debuted with the blessing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and the lesbian gay bisexual transgender (LGBT) community.
Utah’s Republican Gov. Gary Herbert signed the bill at a ceremony March 12.
Under the bill pre-existing anti-discrimination laws for housing and employment were amended to include sexual orientation and gender identity; clarified exemptions for religious institutions; and provided protections for religious expression.
The legislation makes it illegal for employers and landlords to discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Religious organizations and their affiliates, along with the Boy Scouts of America, are exempt from the bill’s requirements.
The measure’s other religious protections prevent workers from being fired for expressing beliefs on marriage, family or sexuality unless they conflict with the employer’s business interests.
With its enactment, Utah became the 19th state to provide protection for the LGBT community in housing and employment based on both sexual orientation and gender identity, according to data tracked by the national Human Rights Campaign. No federal laws provide such protections.
(RNS)
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