The sponsor of this year's version of
anti-hate crimes legislation on Utah's Capitol Hill believes his bill will get
a significant boost from a public statement from the state's predominant
religion and simultaneous endorsements by two LDS Church-owned news media
outlets.
"We can get it done," Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City, said
Friday of House Bill 85.
"We still have a lot of work to do," he said, adding that for some
lawmakers, the church's statements "will make a difference."
The legislation would increase penalties for threats or acts of violence or
vandalism against people based on their race, religion, ethnic background or
sexual orientation. It is the last provision which has generated most
opposition among Utah lawmakers and others who claim it carves out
"special rights" for gays and lesbians.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that homosexuality is a
sin and it has actively supported, with money and volunteers, legislation in
Utah and other states intended to prevent recognition of gay marriage.
But on Friday, church leaders issued a statement that the religion "does
not oppose HB85, Hate Crimes Amendments, as drafted.
"The church abhors all hate crimes. The Church's well-known opposition to
attempts to legalize same-gender marriage should never be interpreted as
justification for hatred, intolerance or abuse of those who profess homosexual
tendencies, either individually or as a group."
Litvack said church lobbyist Bill Evans had communicated the statement to
legislative leaders, and Litvack, who is Jewish, was busy making sure
colleagues were aware of it.
In addition to the church's official nonopposition, church-owned KSL radio and
television on Friday editorialized in support of the hate crimes bill, saying,
"It is high time to approve it."
The broadcast editorial followed by one day an editorial in the church-owned
Deseret News endorsing the bill.
Under the headline "Pass the hate-crimes bill," the News rejected
arguments that the legislation would establish a thought crime. "Nor would
the bill establish protected classes of citizens or imprint some official stamp
of approval on homosexuality," said the editorial.