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Cedar City • The City Council announced Wednesday that it will consider passing ordinances that prohibit housing or employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
If the council adopts the ordinances next week, it would be the eighth political entity in the state to enact such measures and the first in southern Utah.
The ordinances mirror those passed by Salt lake City last year. West Valley City, Taylorsville, Salt Lake County, Park City, Summit County and Logan have adopted similar measures.
Benjamin Smith, director of the Queer-Straight Alliance at Southern Utah University, and Equality Utah of Salt Lake City lobbied for the ordinances.
"[The ordinances are] well-balanced, fair-minded and will benefit the community," said Smith.
Council members questioned the cost of implementing the measures. City Attorney Paul Bittmenn had no financial estimates, but said he believes the costs would be minimal.
Cedar City Councilman Steve Wood asked about complaints in other cities.
Brandie Balken, director of Equality Utah, attended Wednesday's meeting and said there have been only two complaints in Salt Lake City, both settled through mediation. No fines were levied.
She said the adoption of anti-discrimination ordinances is attracting businesses to Utah, including software producer Adobe, which could generate $100 million for the state.
"It's important for companies to see that Utah values diversity and tolerance," said Balken.
Smith said the proposed ordinance came about after several meetings with Mayor Joe Burgess, who appeared receptive to the idea, and after informational meetings with the public.
Balken said landlords and business owners are not prohibited now from discriminating against a person for gender identity or sexual orientation unless individual political entities enact laws.
She would like to see an anti-discrimination law adopted statewide. Last fall, a Salt Lake Tribune poll found that 69 percent of Utahns support such a law.
Only one person at Wednesday's meeting spoke in favor of passing the ordinance. Another wondered if police would be used to enforce the laws. He was told any problems would be investigated by the mayor's office.