Utah Passes LGBT Anti-Discrimination Law

An anti-discrimination bill aimed at protecting the gay and transgender community and backed by the Mormon LDS Church cleared Utah’s House on Wednesday. The gallery crowd cheered as the House passed SB296 in a 65-10 vote, sending it to Republican Gov. Gary Herbert, who’s expected to sign it Thursday. The new measure makes it illegal for employers and landlords to discriminate against individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity while also providing religious organizations with exemptions for the bill’s requirements. Utah is set to become the 19th state to provide protections for the LGBT community in housing and employment, according to national Human Rights Campaign data.