Common Ground

In the wake of Proposition 8, Utah is experiencing a wave of constituent reaction to it's passing in California.  For the last three months, Equality Utah has been petitioning to the Utah State Legislature a series of bills, collectively titled the Common Ground Initiative.  These bills are an attempt to award gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people equal rights on the grounds of employment, housing, and healthcare. I've only just recently been researching and reading up on both sides of the issue, but I will say that I was shocked to learn that some of the most basic, seemingly obvious rights, such as fair housing, are currently denied to LGBT people under Utah law.  

If you've got 26 minutes to spare, I'd recommend watching this piece presented by Utah NOW and Doug Fabrizio, which was aired on KUED.  It takes a look at the lobbying efforts from both sides of the issue, as well as identifies where the LDS Church stands as a dominant cultural and sociopolitical force in Utah. It also includes a thoughtful interview with Equality Utah's Executive Director, Mike Thompson.

Click Here to view the clip.