BREAKING: Utah Legislators Unveil SB0296, Anti-Discrimination and Religious Liberty

Legislators in Utah have worked hard to finally agree on a version of a bill to address both anti-discrimination for LGBT people in work and housing, as well as conserving religious liberties as prescribed by the US Constitution.

Today, Senator Jim Debakis and others presented SB0296, written by Senator Steve Urquhart and two others. All seemed happy and satisfied with the provisions of the bill. Here are a few important aspects of the bill:

1. Employers may not threaten, hire, fire, or otherwise discriminate on the basis of gender identity or sexual preference. 
2. Housing providers cannot discriminate in rentals or sales on the basis of gender identity or sexual preference. 
3. Employers may not threaten, hire, fire, or otherwise discriminate against employees that voice their opinions on marriage, family, or other deeply held beliefs.
4. Religious entities and ordained leaders are exempt from being required to offer religious services to LGBT people.
5. Persons with fewer than 4 family-unit rentals or religion owned and operated housing is exempt from LGBT discrimination (ie. BYU). 
6. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not included in exemptions.

Hopefully the bill will pass on the Utah state floor to be put into law.


http://le.utah.gov/~2015/bills/static/SB0296.html

http://fox13now.com/2015/03/04/compromise-lgbt-nondiscrimination-religious-liberties-released-heres-what-it-says/

The Original Definition of 'Religious Freedom'

Last week, the Utah house unanimously passed a law that recognizes "January 16th as Religious Freedom Day and honoring the founding definition of Religious Freedom."

The current debate for religious freedom is generally within the definition of:

I should legally be able to refuse services, housing, employment, and public associations with anyone or anything based off of deeply held religious beliefs.

But this definition only really came out as a desperate last attempt to stifle the social progress of same-sex marriage legalization and other anti-discriminatory legislation. 

The original definition of religious freedom came from the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson. James Madison then put it into law in 1786. This definition, in addition to removing a state established church, was:

An individual’s beliefs or non-beliefs “shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect [one’s] civil capacities.” In other words, what you believe or don't believe cannot be used as an excuse to either withhold services from you, or give you an advantage that others do not have.

This tune is dramatically different from that of religious proponents today. If believers wish to drum the original intent of the constitution and the founding fathers, they need not look further.

There is no need to add anymore anti-constitutional exceptions and special privileges to religion and religious people. Religion is already protected for one to worship as they please on their own. But what you do or work or business or otherwise in the civil sector is not your religion.

Let us honor January 16 as either Freedom of Religion or Freedom FROM Religion freely, as we choose.

http://gaysaltlake.com/news/2015/02/24/rep-brian-kings-religious-freedom-day-bill-passes-utah-house/

Officer Refusing to Work SLC Gay Pride Speaks Out

The officer who asked to switch assignments internally with another officer during SLC gay pride 2014 decided at this time (where laws concerning equal rights for LGBT and religious liberty) to voice his opinion and share his side of the story.

This officer was trained to be in a motorcycle performance that usually participates in any major parades in the city. This year's pride parade seemed to him to be promoting the 'gay lifestyle', for which he was clearly against. He sent an email internally to switch assignments. Although the wording of the email was not disclosed, Officer Moutsos made it out to seem innocent. When the chief saw this request, it was denied.

At this point, the officer decided he would do the assignment, but was suspended for discrimination. As the suspension was made public, the officer decided to resign. Although he would have worked his way through the situation and could have remained an officer, he felt his labelling as a bigot was enough to end his police career.

Chief Burbank stated that any hint of bias or personal discrimination was not tolerated in his police officers. A small reaction is enough to say there is a chance that the bias could make the difference in protecting someone in a life-threatening situation. Burbank does not want that risk in any officer.

Performing on motorcycle as an officer occurs in all types of parades. I haven't seen a parade without them. It's not a statement of supporting a lifestyle. It's the officer's job. It is a statement, however, that you will protect and serve all citizens equally as an officer. Something Moutsos apparently hesitated to do because of a discriminatory belief.

https://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=33605041

Park City High - Gender Neutral Bathroom

The first in Utah public grade schools. A gender neutral bathroom was approved by the school board in Park City at the request of Tori Vipond, a senior that does not want to be required to choose a gender for using the restroom. "I usually just hold it until I go to the restroom at home," Vipond said.

Except for a few criticisms on the internet, the article claims that there is little objection and an overall pleased attitude with the addition. LGBT students say they feel more comfortable with the restroom available.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=33458425&nid=148&title=gender-neutral-restroom-opens-at-park-city-high-school&s_cid=queue-16

Balancing Religious Liberty with Anti Discrimination for LGBT

Lawmakers are still squabbling over the details and wording of any legislation concerning the goals to protect LGBT citizens from discrimination in housing, employment, and other public services, while also conserving a person's ability to avoid activities that violate "deeply held religious beliefs".

Anderegg of Lehi has drafted a bill that does not include any wording for LGBT, but widens the religious rights for anyone to deny services for any religious reason. Knowing that LGBT advocates will attempt to kill anything that does not have the words "gender identity" or "sexual preference", he states he will probably not run the bill.

On the other end, LGBT advocates are promoting St. George's Urqhuart's bill SB100, which simply adds those exact words to Utah's anti-discrimination bill. They believe Utah is already saturated with religious liberties and isn't in need of any more.

Some quotes I'd like to post from the article's comment forum:

This is an excellent question. Why does "relgious freedom" trump all other rights like LaVar's bill is asking to do? Religion is already a protected class and cannot be discriminated against, but his bill is a no holds barred bill that will allows anyone to discriminate anyone as long as they claim a religious belief. It is absolutely ridiculous and doesn't even follow the spirit of what the LDS Church was calling for.

Religious freedom means being able to WORSHIP in anyway you feel is right for you. Renting an apartment or baking a cake is not WORSHIP. If you serve the public, you have to serve the ENTIRE public, not just those who you like.

Also, adding protections in from discriminating against a person's sexual orientation or gender identity will have zero effect on what you are suggesting with "it would be very difficult to terminate them if they are unproductive or problematic". Adding thses protections would prevent you from firing someone strictly because they are Gay, Straight, asexual etc. But if they are unable to perform their job, you are firing them for performance issues not orientation issues. It is no different from me not being able to fire someone because they are Mormon. - LittleBrudda

I see a lot of complaining and whining about religious folks being forced to accept the LGBT way of life (even though nobody is asking anyone do to anything of the sort). When is it my turn to not have to be "forced" to accept the religious way of life? I'm straight, married, 2 kids, live a productive life, involved in my community, give time to others in need, and wouldn't step foot in a church if someone paid me. Why? Because I don't believe religion is necessary to do the right thing.

I don't care what the trait is, if you are discriminated against because of it then you should be protected. They should change the law so that it reads anti discrimination, regardless of why, is prohibited. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying protect the perpetrators in our society. I'm talking about those that just live their lives without causing problems for others. I don't know why we as humans act this way. -Fellow_Man

Read more here: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=33452782&nid=148&title=lawmakers-aiming-to-balance-religious-rights-and-anti-discrimination&s_cid=queue-15

Amendment 3 Case Plaintiff Derek Kitchen Running for SLC Council

by Brig Bagley

12 February 2015

Derek Kitchen has decided to run for city council to use his voice in new ways. Kitchen was one of several plaintiffs in the Kitchen vs. Herbert case against the same-sex marriage ban: Utah's Amendment 3. 

Kitchen is gay and is planning his wedding with Moudi Sbeity, but none of his initial statements on policy mention LGBT equality or gay marriage, other than the fact that his involvement with the SSM case has interested him in the position.

Read more here: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=33429769

LDS Critic John Dehlin Excommunicated for 'Apostasy'

by Brig Bagley

12 February 2015

John Dehlin has been at odds with the LDS Church and its leadership for years. Not wishing to be excommunicated, but not surprised it took place, he celebrates his freedom from adhering to the LDS leader's teachings and following their policies.

Dehlin's actions didn't take center stage for the LDS head leaders until he publicly criticized them for still proclaiming their opposition to ordaining women to the priesthood and permitting same-sex marriages: two topics that Dehlin also tended to focus on in his podcasts, "Mormon Stories." Dehlin believes that questioning authority and policies is healthy, especially when it comes to the diversity that exists in the church and should be better addressed. Simply "having faith" is not enough of an answer for Dehlin.

Dehlin also no longer fully believes in some of the core doctrines, such as the Book of Mormon as the 'word of God' and the LDS Church as being the only 'true' authority of God on the earth. What ultimately led to his excommunication were his perpetual attempts at declaring and gathering others to criticize the LDS church through informational dissemination online.

Read more here: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=33422568&nid=148&title=mormon-stories-founder-dehlins-spread-of-false-concepts-results-in-excommunication-from-lds-church&s_cid=queue-18