Optical Allusionist

During and following California’s Proposition 8 campaign, the LDS Church declared it is not “anti-gay” and “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 has launched its Common Ground Initiative, designed to address each of the issues mentioned by the LDS Church. The majority of these items will be introduced as bills in the 2009 General Session of the Utah Legislature; however, Expanding Healthcare is initially being addressed as a policy change.

1. Expanding Health Care-most gay Utahns can not insure their family. Currently, Equality Utah is working to secure an Executive Order, which would extend benefits for State of Utah employees and their adult designees. Since the State of Utah is the state’s largest employer, this is a great start in getting insurance plans to cover all family structures.

2. Fair Housing & Employment-Right now it is legal in Utah for people to be fired from their jobs or evicted from their homes just because they’re gay or transgender. All Utahns should have the chance to provide for their families and stay in their homes without fear of being unjustly fired or evicted for reasons that have nothing to do with ability to work or pay rent. A Fair Workplace bill was introduced in the 2008 session as HB 89. This year, the Fair Employment portion was added and the bill has been introduced as HB 267.

3. Wrongful Deaths-The sudden death of a loved one is painful. When someone dies because of the negligence or malpractice of another, we can help families stay in their homes by removing existing barriers to inheritance and insurance. This bill was introduced in the 2007 session as SB 58 and in the 2008 session as SB 73. The bill is SB 32 in the 2009 session.
*This bill was defeated in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 4-2 vote.

4. Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act- Apart from marriage, we can do much more to help committed couples in Utah care for each other. This bill creates a domestic partner registry and will attach rights of inheritance, insurance, and fair housing.

5. Clarifying Amendment 3- A government registry involving inheritance, housing, and insurance is nowhere near the legal equivalent of marriage. But the second part of Amendment 3 has been misinterpreted to prevent any recognition of gay and transgender couples in Utah. This bill would repeal the portion of Amendment 3 which states “no other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as marriage or be given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect.” It will not change Utah’s current definition of marriage, which is one man and one woman.

Help us secure these rights by joining our Common Ground Initiative. Be part of our work for a fair & just Utah and sign the petition of support today!



References

California and Same-Sex Marriage
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Newsroom
June 30, 2008

The Divine Institution of Marriage - Introduction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Newsroom
August 13, 2008

Church Responds to Same-Sex Marriage Votes
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Newsroom
November 5, 2008

Mormon Leaders Urge Respect for Foes in Gay-Marriage Debate
The Salt Lake Tribune
Brooke Adams
November 5, 2008


LDS Official Lauds Work for California’s Prop. 8
Deseret News
Carrie A. Moore
November 6, 2008


Equality Utah: Common Ground Initiative