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Utah State Senate
Democratic state senator in Utah, representing the 2nd District, and Utah's only openly gay legislator,
PROFILE
Jim Dabakis
Guest
FROM Jim Dabakis
To the Point
The "Utah Compromise" It's been seven years since the Mormon Church financed the anti-gay-marriage measure Proposition 8, in California. Times have changed. Last Thursday, after less than a week of deliberations, that same Mormon Church — which dominates the State of Utah — supported a law prohibiting discrimination in employment and housing against lesbians, gays, bi-sexual and transgender people. It was passed 88 to 15 by a legislature with only one openly gay member, and was signed by the Mormon Governor Gary Herbert. There are gaping loopholes. For example, religious organizations — including the Mormon Church — are exempted, even though they are major employers. We hear why LGBT leaders are hailing it as the best they can get in Utah's "unique legal climate."
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Mormon Church and Gay Rights Seven years ago, the Mormon Church was a major organizer and financial sponsor behind the anti-gay-marriage measure Prop 8. The proposition passed but was later overturned by the California Supreme Court. Then yesterday, leaders of the Mormon Church announced that they supports employment and housing protections for LGBT people. That announcement came after talks between the church and other groups that began after Prop 8. We hear from an openly gay lawmaker who was involved in those discussions.
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