A work transfer brought Brian Doughty to Salt Lake City from Denver in 2004 — a move he made with some hesitation as an openly gay man who had heard of Utah’s conservative reputation.
But the Dallas native and his partner, Rian, have now made Utah’s capital their home.
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"I’ve put roots down," Doughty said.
His involvement in the community has only increased over the years.
The former board member of Equality Utah last summer was asked by then-Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake City, to take her spot in House District 30. He agreed to put his name in and, after delegates met with him, they selected him to fill out the remainder of Biskupski’s term. Four days later on July 20, he was sworn into office.
He began his first legislative session Jan. 23. It also will be his last representing District 30. That’s because during the recently completed redistricting, Doughty and House Democratic Leader David Litvack were placed in the same district — House 26 — under the new boundaries that kick in next year.
While Democrats protested Republican-drawn redistricting for congressional seats, they supported the legislative boundary changes.
"It made sense to combine Doughty’s and (my) district. It was based on trying to keep communities of interest intact," Litvack said.
Doughty plans to challenge Litvack for the seat.
"My plan is to run in [House] District 26," he said.
That’s for later — after the session.
Doughty’s focus right now while at the Capitol is HB64.
His bill would will allow government employees to insure, under their policy, other adults in the home. This could include a life partner, a child or an aging parent.
While some may see this bill as a gay-rights issue, Litvack disagrees.
"I think it’s a brilliant bill," Litvack said. "It’s following the lead of Salt Lake and Salt Lake County. This is a health care issue."
The way the bill has been worded appeals to some on the other side of the aisle — a crucial factor because Republicans outnumber Democrats three-to-one in the Legislature.
The bill has yet to be assigned a fiscal note — or cost estimate — and that could become an issue.
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