Local LGBT Advocate Disappointed by Maine Vote

11.07.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

Maine voters passed a ban on same-sex marriage this week, making it the 31st state to do so. Will Carlson with Equality Utah says the so-called “people’s veto” stung.

“The vote in Maine was hurtful. The idea that anybody’s civil rights or human rights could be put up for a vote by the general public should be frightening to anyone,” he said.

However, Carlson remains confident that even here in Utah, same-sex marriage will eventually be legalized. He says the number of those voting against same-sex marriage is shrinking. And he points to progress in public policy, like Salt Lake City’s proposed non-discrimination ordinance. Carlson says Salt Lake would be the first city in the nation to protect LGBT residents from workplace discrimination.

Meanwhile, a federal non-discrimination bill had its first hearing in the Senate since 2002 on Thursday.  If signed into law, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA would extend those protections to every state. Carlson says Equality Utah commends the Senate for moving this piece of legislation forward.

“This is a big deal. You can still be fired in the state of Utah just for being a lesbian. And you can be evicted just for being transgender. No other reason is necessary to lose your home or lose your job. And hard-working Utahns shouldn’t be fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance,” said Carlson.

However, the federal bill would not protect against housing discrimination, while Salt Lake City’s proposed ordinance would. And Carlson believes there are other areas of discrimination that should be addressed, including public accommodations like hotels, restaurants and private businesses.