WASHINGTON— Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) reacted to new, dangerous and harmful legislation (S.B. 297) introduced days after the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and LGBT rights organizations reached a key compromise on a non-discrimination bill (S.B. 296) in the state.

Though S.B. 296 struck a critical balance, S.B 297 threatens to unleash a wave of lawsuits and empower individuals to single out minorities for discrimination.

“We strongly oppose S.B. 297 for the simple reason that it was not written to address a legitimate problem with current law, it was written with the intention of creating harmful consequences,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “This bill puts LGBT people at risk of being fired or denied a home based on the personal beliefs of individuals—and it sends a harmful message that fairness, equality and the principles of our constitution are secondary to personal prejudice.”

Equality Utah and the ACLU of Utah are also opposing the legislation.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
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