SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah’s legislative leaders say lawmakers are likely to stay quiet this year on issues related to gay rights.
The next court to consider the case of gay marriage in Utah is not expected to rule until at least March. Democratic and Republican Senate leaders on Tuesday indicated they don’t want to risk affecting the state’s pending appeal to federal court.
House Speaker Becky Lockhart says it makes sense for lawmakers to hear the coming court decision before weighing in further on the issue. But she said she would not go so far as to block such bills from clearing her chamber.
One of the measures would ban housing and job discrimination based on sexual orientation. Another stipulates that religious officials do not have to perform marriages that violate their beliefs.
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