Protections for gays face tough fight at Utah Legislature

Now that Salt Lake City has approved ordinances that make it illegal to fire or evict someone for being gay, will the Legislature and Gov. Gary Herbert follow suit?

Government and civic leaders said Wednesday the fight will be much tougher in the conservative Legislature, though the odds of passing an anti-discrimination law may get a boost from the Mormon church's endorsement Tuesday of the Salt Lake City Council's ordinances. Lawmakers could do three things when they come into January's general session: They could adopt a statewide law similar to the city's; they could actually repeal the city ordinance and ban all other local governments from doing likewise; or they could do nothing, which would let the city ordinance stand.

Rep. Chris Johnson, D-Salt Lake, said Wednesday she will again introduce a bill that is "very similar" to the city's new ordinance. Whether it will pass or not is certainly debatable, said Johnson, one of three openly gay Utah legislators.

House Speaker Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, said he's not sure what the reaction would be to such legislation.

But, he pointed out, "the position the LDS Church takes does have a tremendous sway on public sentiment. And public sentiment does have a tremendous sway on the Legislature."

Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said he expects the issue to come up next session.

"I don't know where it will go," he said. "It depends on whether they try to plow new ground with it." Waddoups said he would be willing to support legislation protecting employment and housing rights for gay Utahns if current statutes are unclear.

However, Waddoups, a property manager, said he wants the "right to protect the image of my company" against gay employees "out flaunting the gay lifestyle" during work hours. He said he also had concerns about similar behavior among his tenants. "I'm not going to put up with that on any of my properties," Waddoups said.

Angie Welling, the governor's spokeswoman, said, "As a strong proponent of local government, Herbert respects the right of municipalities to pass rules and ordinances in their jurisdictions. As such, the governor defers to Salt Lake City in this case."

Regarding possible statewide legislation, Welling said it would be premature for Herbert to discuss undrafted legislation.

A spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also said it's too early to comment on bills that haven't been proffered.