In light of yesterday's statements by leaders of the LDS Church, it looks like Utah could well become the first post-Windsor state to pair new statewide antidicrimination protections for LGBT people with new religious liberty legislation. In trying to get up to speed on the landscape in the state, I found this lengthy article from the Deseret News to be quite informative:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865620495/LDS-statement-could-move-Utah-nondiscrimination-religious-freedom-debate-forward.html If I'm reading the current pending legislation (SB100, HB66, and HJR5) correctly, religious organizations, individuals acting on behalf of religious organizations, and government officials would be exempt from performing or solemnizing marriages that are contrary to their faith. But the current legislative proposals would not extend such exemptions into the commercial realm, either for corporate entities or non-corporate business owners. However, the article notes: Meantime, other legislators are keeping under wraps proposals dealing with "religious conscience" issues in business, employment and property rights. Such legislation would seek to protect from prosecution or lawsuits people like photographers or bakers who refuse to provide services for gay weddings because of their religious beliefs. Lawmakers also might unveil a state version of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The 1993 act requires federal laws to accommodate individuals' religious beliefs unless there is a compelling interest at stake that can't be attained through other means. In short, several proposals already on the table, and several others in the works, in a state where legislative action on both the LGBT rights front and the religious liberty front might well move forward. - Jim
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