Utah legislators want LDS support with gay rights bills

Equality Utah and at least five Utah legislators are asking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to demonstrate its conviction, based on past statements, that it’s not “anti-gay,” but “pro-family”.

According to Salt Lake City’s ksl.com, the group is taking the LDS Church at its word, and will push five bills in the next legislative session that would secure, through statute, rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights or probate rights.

Equality Utah says: The LDS Church has articulated it is not “anti-gay” but rather pro-marriage and it “does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights.” On November 5th, Elder L. Whitney Clayton stated the LDS Church does not oppose “civil unions or domestic partnerships.” In response to these statements, Equality Utah is drafting legislation for the 2009 General Session of the Utah Legislature to address each of the issues mentioned by the LDS Church.