On May 17, 236 members of the United States House of Representatives voted in favor of historical legislation that would grant equal protection under the law to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer citizens of this nation. Another 173 members voted against it.
The Equality Act is intended to protect members of my community from discrimination in housing, education and employment on a federal level. LGBTQ+ people are entering the public dialogue en masse to advocate for our rights as citizens. Sadly, the voices of Utahns are being silenced by our delegates in Washington, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
My representative in the House, Republican John Curtis, while speaking on the floor, made flowery and pleasant overtures to the LGBTQ+ community. He began his speech by declaring, “I believe the LGBTQ community is a critical part of the fabric of our country. They are deserving of our unequivocal love and respect, and their contributions to my home state of Utah are utterly invaluable.”
Despite our “contributions” we did not receive any “love and respect” from Curtis who inevitably voted no on the Equality Act. He felt giving LGBTQ+ people “unequivocal” rights would erode religious liberty in this country.
The LDS Church also came out against the legislation, fearing more rights and protections for sexual orientation and identity would break down fundamental religious liberties.
We send our delegates to Washington and charge them to make decisions that benefit us in Utah. Many Utahns pledge their lives and incomes to the church, expecting leaders to do right by them. But for the religions that preach love, tolerance and acceptance, why not support a law that will bolster the love, tolerance and acceptance we feel from our country and leaders?
Right now being gay in Utah means checking your identity at the door of every interview. Being gay in Utah means your rights come reluctantly, and only after religion’s liberty is secure. Being gay in Utah means the throne of power, which sits at Temple Square, opposes my rights in order to defend its own.
Utah might stand for “Industry” and a “Life Elevated,” but our representatives legislate in a mindset of scarcity, and the church feeds that narrative.
“If the gays get more rights, our liberty will be at risk!” they cry from their podiums and pulpits. However, balancing LGBTQ+ rights and religious liberty is not a zero sum game. When one wins, the other doesn’t have to lose.
Utah was founded by people looking for liberty and freedom; to worship, to work, and to live in peace. They were looking for foundational freedoms and rights that weren’t afforded to them elsewhere. Utah is in the midst of opening itself up to the world; from the rise of Silicon Slopes, to the 2002 Olympics, Utah is offering more than just the best snow on Earth. We are offering our pioneer heritage, our strong work ethic and our inclusive hearts to those who wish to join us.
Utah was here to embrace the pioneers, will Utahns embrace my community? Watching our delegates in Washington and the church in Salt Lake turn their backs on a people that needs them is unbecoming of Utah and the values we hold here.
Utahn’s are tired. We deserve better. We’re exhausted by a church that puts its rights above ours. We are drained by delegates that toe both church and party lines. We are ashamed of having representatives without representation. In a state that at times feels theocratic, our apathetic leaders are just icing on the proverbial cake bakers legally don’t have to make for us.
Blake Oakey, Sandy, is a hobby activist with an interest in socio-economic issues, LGBTQ+ rights and public policy, and has an addiction to Twitter.