BREAKING: Utah Senate President: We May Repeal The Non-Discrimination Laws
Posted By Eric Ethington (Author) on December 23, 2010
Salt Lake City, UT – Senate President Michael Waddoups went on record yesterday saying there’s a chance the Utah Legislature may repeal the non-discrimination laws that have been passed in 10 cities and municipalities in Utah. “I’ve seen no advantage to the laws,” he says.
With yesterday’s fantastic news that Equality Utah had succeeded in passing the protections for housing and workplace discrimination in Grand County, the state celebrated as Utah became just a little more friendly towards all and not just the majority. Over two-thirds of the state’s population are hoping that the Utah legislature will pass the protections state-wide during the 2011 legislative session.
But Senate President Michael Waddoups, House Speaker Becky Lockhart and other Republicans are not only gearing up to make sure the protections don’t make it out of committee again, but they want to repeal the current laws that local governments have passed.
I will say it right now. If the LGBT and ally community of Utah does not show up in force this session, we are doomed to fall further behind than we ever have. Ask yourself now what you are willing to do for equality.
PRIDEinUtah is launching the “This Is Our Voice!” campaign to tackle the Utah legislature and stop this endless string of hatred and bigotry towards the LGBT community. Phase 1 is a nationwide petition demanding that they not only cease any actions towards repealing current protections, but pass the ordinances state-wide. Will you stand with us? Or will you watch as your rights are stripped from you once again?
Sign the petition no matter where you’re from and tell our legislators Enough Is Enough!
From Rosemary Winters at the Salt Lake Tribune:
Senate President Michael Waddoups
Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, who brokered last session’s compromise on bills affecting the gay community, said he thinks McAdams is “running a risk” by bringing up the issue again. Some legislators, Waddoups said, would prefer to overturn the anti-discrimination ordinances passed by Utah cities and counties.
“I think that will be a real acrimonious debate — whether it will be [expanded] statewide or prohibited,” Waddoups said.
He prefers to keep the status quo, allowing adoption of ordinances to be determined at the city and county level.
“So far, I’ve seen no advantage to the laws and I’ve seen no disadvantages,” the senator said. “The public out there is treating people fairly and equally. I think [gay-rights advocates are] trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.”
"Eric, trying to have this (civil rights) conversation with you is ultimately like trying to teach a pig to dance, it just annoys the pig. So Eric, sorry to annoy you."
-Paul Mero, The Sutherland Institute.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Eric Ethington, Nikki Norton Nelmark and Eric Ethington. Eric Ethington said: If you read one thing this season.. BREAKING: Utah Senate President: We May Repeal Non-Discrimination Laws http://bit.ly/f7EHLZ #lgbt #utpol [...]
What a twat thing to say. He really wants to discriminate but the laws are preventing him and he can’t admit it, even to himself.
well as an easterner….live in S.NJ — I’d NEVER go to UTAH EVER……once a Hate state, always a HATE state..no thanks. The ONLY goodf thing to come out of UTAH is HBO’s “BIG LOVE”..Period,the end.
Hey Disgusted American – make sure you still sign the petition! We need signatures from around the country!
Like hell!
Please, everyone…help out here. I am the proud father of a gay son, living in the suburbs of Salt Lake City. We desperately need your support.
What a creep. I bet he thinks he’s christian but he’s not.
GQ Cannonball, good for you. Your support is appreciated by more people than you can imagine!
I’ll sign the petition, but I do also agree that Utah would not be a state that I feel too good about, either. …and it’s not just the anti-gay discrimination….
EVERYONE needs to get OFF their asses this session and GET TO WORK. I will not tolerate excuses from within our own community. And for those GLBT people who want to sit on the sidelines forever, fine. They can do so at their own peril. But bet your ass I’ll be fighting on the frontlines.
It is HIGH TIME that this OUT OF CONTROL Christian RIGHT WING is put in their place, and STOPPED from all this political activity!!! REMEMBER people… SEPERATION of Church and State!!!
If they continue, we need to launch our own offensive, and get them extremely wealthy churches to be NONexempt from taxes, because they ARE fully engaged in this nations political process!
The Supreme Court decision in Romer v Evans prevents the prohibition of anti-discrimination laws like the Senate leader is proposing.
What the hell! I swear Waddoups is an ass. I love how he continues to speak go from his place of privilege, completely clueless of what a total jerk he is.
What a closet case.
[...] Utah Senate president wants to repeal the state's LGBT anti-discrimination laws. [...]
Morality.
Karma’s only a bitch if you are…
that means you… WADDOUPS.
[...] on the final eve of these successes, Senate President Michael Waddoups announced that he would consider repealing EVERYTHING that we have accomplished! Every city, county and [...]
[...] on the final eve of these successes, Senate President Michael Waddoups announced that he would consider repealing EVERYTHING that we have accomplished! Every city, county [...]
[...] protest and bring to light injustice and bigotry especially when it’s perpetrated by our own elected officials. We cannot sit on the sidelines and hope someone else supports us. We cannot change the picture [...]
Amazingly, after growing up in SLC, and then, after over 30 years in San Francisco, I’m still NOT gay. But I have to say to Waddoups, and his genre, that if you look like a moron and talk like a moron, my guess is that you believe in moronic values, if you get my drift. Does God hate anyone?