SLC Gay Rights Win May Go Statewide

Following the Salt Lake City Council's passage of two gay rights measures with the backing of the Church of Latter-day Saints, the possibility of passing a similar law in the state may come with the church's support.

"Anything good is shareable," said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (pictured) in the Salt Lake City Tribune, adding that his city's legislation could be a model for the state.

The city ordinances will ban employment or housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. They will go into effect in April. Each bill has an exemption for religious organizations and their affiliates, which LDS spokesman Michael Otterson praised during a recent city council meeting.

"The church supports these ordinances because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage," Otterson said after the council passed the legislation on Tuesday.

The Utah legislature may address an antidiscrimination statute to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the fair-employment law.