Mormon church supports Salt Lake City's protections for gay rights

"We hope this is the beginning of a working relationship between the LDS Church and the LGBT community," Whipple said, "and they will help us by endorsing and sponsoring further laws both on the local, state and federal levels and all places where the church has influence."

In a lengthy public hearing Tuesday, more than 40 people offered opinions on the nondiscrimination ordinances, with supporters outnumbering foes more than 6 to 1.

"We cannot make decisions based on ignorance," Councilman JT Martin said prior to the vote. "All of us (on the council) raised our hands and swore that we would do what was right for those people we represent. This is an issue that touches everyone's life. Equality is the right thing."

The ordinances, which go into law following the 2010 legislative session, establish a process within the city for tenants and employees to file discrimination complaints based on sexual orientation.

A few residents shared with the council stories of evictions and firings based on their sexual orientation.

"It's hard living in a state you love … and still feel like you're a second-class citizen," said Eric Ethington, a Salt Lake man who said he was fired for being gay.

The ordinances call for written complaints and rebuttals to be filed with the city and reviewed by an administrator. If the complaint were found valid, the two parties would meet in an attempt to resolve the issue outside of court. If no agreement could be reached, the complaint would be forwarded to the city attorney for possible civil action.

The proposed ordinance calls for fines of $500 for smaller companies and up to $1,000 for larger organizations.

Sandra Rodrigues, of the anti-gay group America Forever, and a handful of others opposed the ordinances, saying the issue was about morality, not discrimination.

"You've tied the hands of every single citizen in this city," said Jessica Rodrigues. "Homosexuality is just as inappropriate as pornography and prostitution."

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