Utah House to link LGBT protections, religious rights bills

Salt Lake City (AP) — Utah's Speaker of the House says his chamber may not vote on a Mormon church-backed anti-discrimination bill until late Wednesday night or even Thursday.

Hughes told reporters Wednesday afternoon that the GOP-controlled House wants a committee to first consider a religious rights bill they consider to be related.

That bill would allow Utah government employees to refuse to marry same-sex couples if they give up their right to marry anyone.

If a House committee passes that bill, Hughes says the full House will then vote on both proposals.

House approval would send both bills to Republican Gov. Gary Herbert.

Herbert says he'll sign the anti-discrimination bill but it's unclear if he'll approve the marriage bill.

LGBT advocates oppose it, saying officials should not be able to opt-out of their duties for religious reasons.

By Michelle L. Price, Associated Press. Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – March 11, 2015 @ 4:15pm.