Brody's Notes... Utah State Senate President: "I Think Gay Rights Activists Are Trying To Make A Mountain Out Of A Molehill"

Utah State Senate President Michael Waddoups (R)  Photo Courtesy Of Michael Waddoups

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) DEC 23 | It was announced Monday that Grand County, Utah, has passed an ordinance that barred discriminating against LGBTQ residents in matters of employment and housing. With the passage of the measure, Grand County now joins the ranks of 9 other local jurisdictions that have passed similar ordinances, which according to an article in the Salt Lake city daily newspaper, The Salt Lake Tribune, means that one in four Utahans now are afforded protection against discriminatory practises in housing & employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity. 
In November of last year, Salt Lake City became the first local government to pass a similar measure which was endorsed in a landmark decision by the hierarchy of the Mormon church. The LGBTQ equality rights organisation, Equality Utah, then launched an effort, dubbed “Ten in 2010,” to increase the list to 10 by the end of this year. Grand County expedited the ordinances to ensure passage before the new year. Spokesperson and executive director of Equality Utah, Brandie Balken, told the Tribune:

“Each of these local governments has set an example for their residents and for business owners and property owners. They've also set a good example for our Legislature.”

The Tribune had run a poll in January of this year that showed two-thirds of the state's residents were in favor of a state wide law that bar discrimination against LGBTQ residents. The paper reported:

But Utah’s Republican-led Legislature has quashed attempts at a statewide law each of the past three years. In the 2010 Legislature, the effort died as part of a compromise between Republicans and Democrats not to introduce any pro- or anti-gay-rights bills, including legislation that would have blocked cities and counties from adopting anti-discrimination ordinances. 

“We have been very resistant in the past to doing anything that might make sexual orientation a protected class. I don’t think that has changed,” said House Speaker-elect Becky Lockhart, R-Provo.

Eric Ethington, director of Pride In Utah and a long time LGBTQ rights activist, says that Senate President Michael Waddoups, House Speaker Becky Lockhart and other Republicans are not only gearing up to make sure the protections don’t make it out of committee again, but they want to repeal the current laws that local governments have passed.
Utah State Senator Ben McAdams, (D-Salt Lake City), told reporters that he will introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative session, modeled on the local ordinances that have been passed to add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing housing and employment laws banning discrimination, based on characteristics such as race, religion or national origin, that would be uniform statewide.
Senate President Michael Waddoups, (R-Taylorsville), said he thinks Senator McAdams is “running a risk” by bringing up a statewide measure. Waddoups stated that there are some in the Legislature who would prefer to overturn the anti-discrimination ordinances already passed by the cities and counties and he indicated the current status quo of allowing adoption of ordinances at the local city and county level is preferable.

“I think that will be a real acrimonious debate — whether it will be [expanded] statewide or prohibited,” Waddoups said. “So far, I've seen no advantage to the laws and I’ve seen no disadvantages. The public out there is treating people fairly and equally. I think [gay-rights advocates are] trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.”

Ethington disagrees and said that if the LGBTQ and ally community of Utah does not show up in force this session, "we are doomed to fall further behind than we ever have. Ask yourself now what you are willing to do for equality." Ethington also said that Pride In Utah, in association with Equality Utah's efforts, has also launched an online petition effort to lobby Senate President Waddoups & House Speaker Lockhart to not stand in the way of a statewide initiative. (This Is Our Voice petition site here: [ Link ] )
LDS Church spokesman Michael Otterson offered:

“The church supports these ordinances because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage. I believe in a church that believes in human dignity, in treating people with respect, even when we disagree — in fact, especially when we disagree.”