[News] [UT, USA] Utah Senate committee rejects housing and employment protection bill for gays and lesbians
Stephanie Stevens
Utah Senate committee rejects housing and employment protection bill
for gays and lesbians
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: February 03, 2012 - 6:39 pm
Last Updated: February 03, 2012 - 6:39 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah senators are rejecting a bill that would have
banned discrimination because of a person's sexual orientation,
political views or gender identity.
A Senate committee voted 4-2 against Senate Bill 51 following an
hour-long hearing Friday.
Democratic Sen. Ben McAdams of Salt Lake City says his bill would
protect a person from being fired or denied housing because they are
gay or transgender. It would also allow people to freely participate
in political activities outside of their work.
Utah Eagle Forum president Gayle Ruzicka (ROO-zee-ka) says protecting
people because of their sexual orientation tramples on the freedom of
religious people who don't support the lifestyle.
The Legislature has previously opposed similar nondiscrimination
measures, including a bill sponsored by McAdams last year that didn't
get a committee hearing.
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