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 The bill, backed by the Mormon Church and hailed by supporters in
the politically conservative state as a model for the nation, was
signed by the Republican governor during a ceremony in the packed
rotunda of the Utah state Capitol building.
Specifically, the new law prohibits gays, lesbians, bisexuals or
transgender individuals from being discriminated against by their
landlords or employers.
Religious organizations would be exempt from those provisions, which
add to existing statutes that already barred housing and employment
bias on the basis of race, sex, age and other factors.
The measure also says the law "may not be interpreted to infringe
upon the freedom of expressive association or the free exercise of
religion" protected under the U.S. Constitution.
 It also says that individuals may express religious or moral beliefs
and commitments in the workplace "in a reasonable, non-disruptive,
and non-harassing way."
Gay rights activists embraced the measure as a landmark achievement
for civil liberties.
“Witnessing a pro-LGBT law pass in one of the country's most
conservative states is an almost surreal experience,” said Marina
Gomberg, a member of the executive committee of Equality Utah, a gay
rights organization. “This marks a new day, one of hope, fairness,
compassion and compromise.”
The state's predominant religion, the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, gave its blessing to the measure, even as the
Mormon faith adhered to its doctrine that marriage is a union solely
reserved for a man and woman. Church members account for more than
60 percent of Utah residents and more than 80 percent of state
lawmakers.
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In a statement, the church said the legislation “reflects the very
best of collaboration and statesmanship from groups and individuals
who may not always agree on all things, but who have passed landmark
legislation that balances religious freedom and
anti-discrimination.”
The Utah House of Representatives adopted the bill on a 65-10 vote
on Wednesday night, following state Senate passage last Friday,
23-5.
The Human Rights Campaign counted Utah as the 19th state to
expressly ban housing and workplace discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation or gender identity.
(Editing by Steve Gorman and Paul Tait)
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