Legislators may hesitate to address gay protection

Last year, it was alcohol law. This year, could it be housing and employment anti-discrimination laws for gays and lesbians?

In the passage of liquor-by-the-drink during the last general session, the oil that broke the stuck gears in the Legislature was provided by LDS Church leaders.

Now, backers of legislation that would make it against the law to discriminate against gays and lesbians in housing and employment are hoping that church leaders' stand on a Salt Lake City anti-discrimination ordinance will translate into support for similar statewide laws.

However, Gov. Gary Herbert said Wednesday that he believes such decisions should be left up to individual local governments.

Herbert, who must face conservative GOP delegates next May as he runs for election, declined comment on any statewide law that may be proposed in the 2010 general session.

Rep. Chris Johnson, D-Salt Lake, says she will, again, introduce a bill that she has run for several years on anti-discrimination in housing and employment for gays and lesbians.

It's interesting to watch Utah lawmakers decide if they should make statewide policy on an issue or whether they want to leave it up to local governments to decide for their own constituents.

Gun regulation?

Nope, that is a state responsibility, Utah legislators have decided.

Gay rights?

When it comes to marriage, that is a constitutional ban, legislators and citizens have decided.

On housing and employment protection for gays, you just may see lawmakers take a pass — that is, refuse to adopt a statewide law on the subject.

Conservative legislators could then just smile, nod their heads, and tell pro-traditional activists to contact their city councilman, mayor or county commissioner.

Like Salt Lake City, such decisions belong to local leaders, the conservative lawmakers can say.

Gayle Ruzicka, president of the Utah chapter of Eagle Forum, thinks that is a valid option.

Ruzicka, who is against the ordinances passed in Salt Lake City this past week, says the Legislature shouldn't (and she doesn't believe it will) pass a similar state law.

What is acceptable in liberal Salt Lake City would not be acceptable in Provo, for example, she believes.