Gayle Ruzicka, who heads the conservative Utah Eagle Forum, expressed concerns that the bill could lead to mandating domestic partner benefits, potentially under-cutting the state's marriage amendment. She also worried that it could lead to protections for unmarried couples or polygamists.

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, who sponsored the marriage amendment, said, "The bottom line is: It's wrong, wrong and wrong."

Buttars said the bill would create a special sub-group based on an individual's choice, which could lead to an affirmative actionlike reverse discrimination.

However, Johnson said that, just as in the existing protected classes, the bill is narrowly tailored to only prevent employment discrimination. It includes an exemption for religious organizations, and it prohibits a quota system or preference based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

"This is simply limited to employment discrimination," Johnson said.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com