On Wednesday, the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBT civil rights advocacy group and political lobbying organization in the United States, celebrated the introduction of a bill in the Utah legislature, S.B. 296, which would bar discrimination against gay and transgender individuals. Backed by the LGBT movement and the Mormon Church, the bill is headed for a hearing on Thursday.

HRC President Chad Griffin said, “This is an extraordinary moment for the state of Utah, for LGBT Americans, and for the Mormon Church, which, by supporting this legislation, shows a willingness to align with others on the “right” side of history [Did they read the Bible?].The desire exhibited by the Mormon Church to work toward common ground should serve as a model for other faith traditions here in the United States.”

The bill states that employers could not discriminate against job applicants and employees on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation; every person would retain the same free-speech protections in their private lives and could not be fired for either supporting or opposing marriage equality; landlords and property owners could not discriminate against people based on their gender identity or sexual orientation, and no person or for-profit business owner would be given a religious exemption from the law.

According to UT-San Diego, Religious groups and organizations would be exempt from the law; the Utah Boy Scouts of America, which bans gay adult Scout leaders and is closely aligned with the Mormon Church, would be exempt.

Sen. Steve Urquhart, who co-sponsored the bill, said the Utah Boy Scouts did not request the exemption, adding that the 2000 U.S. Supreme Court decision recognizing the Boy Scouts’ right to exclude gay members prompted the inclusion of the group in the proposal. The Boy Scouts nationally now allow gay members despite the 2000 ruling.

Troy Williams, Executive Director of Equality Utah, stated, “This is an exciting moment in Utah history. Today, we prove the protections for LGBT Utahns can stand alongside protections for people of faith. One need not harm the other. The legislation we have crafted is a win-win for everyone who lives in this state.”

http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/mormon-church-backs-lgbt-anti-discrimination-bill