CANCELLED: Local Democrats stage vigil at Washington County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Breakfast
UPDATE: The silent vigil planned for Saturday has been cancelled. Supporters of SB100 fear the vigil might have a detrimental effect on their efforts, so organizers have agreed to call off the event. The Lincoln Day Breakfast will take place as scheduled.
Written by Cami Cox
On Saturday, Feb. 15, a number of Utah’s government officials will be in attendance at the Washington County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Breakfast – including Governor Gary Herbert, Utah’s new Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, Senator Mike Lee, Congressman Chris Stewart and various others. The Washington County Democratic Party and local activist group Friends of Equality are taking advantage of this assembly to stage a silent vigil outside the Dixie State University Gardner Ballroom, where the breakfast is being held. What do they want? Attention for SB100. When do they want it? Now.
“We must send a message to Utah’s leaders that Southern Utah is part of the 72 percent of all Utahns that support nondiscrimination,” stated an email from the Washington Count Democratic Party that was sent out Wednesday evening.
There has been backlash throughout the state since SB100, a nondiscrimination bill sponsored by Senator Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, was shelved in the Utah State Legislature at the end of January. The bill would alter provisions of the Utah Antidiscrimination Act and the Utah Fair Housing Act, outlawing housing and job discrimination against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Other protests have also taken place recently, demanding that SB100 be heard in the Senate. Last week, at the urging of Senator Urquhart, supporters of the bill papered the Senate doors with hundreds of “blue notes,” which are typically used by constituents wishing to pass messages to their representatives on the senate floor. On Monday, Feb. 10, protestors were arrested at the Utah State Capitol for blockading the entrance to the legislative committee room.
The bill, which has been in the works for several years, made it out of committee last session – but not in time to be heard on the Senate floor. Now, with the State of Utah waging a legal battle over the constitutionality of Utah’s gay marriage ban, SB100 has reportedly been shelved due to concerns that any debate dealing with LGBT issues could have an adverse effect on the state’s appeal to the Supreme Court. Urquhart argues that his bill has no bearing on the gay marriage issue.
“Nondiscrimination has nothing to do with marriage,” Urquhart told The Independent in an interview last week.
The Washington County Democratic Party and Friends of Equality have asked supporters of SB100 to make signs bearing either a personal message to Governor Herbert or the words “Hear SB100” and bring them to the Lincoln Day Breakfast on Saturday morning to make their feelings known to the governor and other political leaders in attendance. They will stage a “silent vigil,” letting their signs do the talking.
“Let’s show him and other GOP leaders that even in the reddest county, there are those with the courage to stand up for SB100 and equality,” their email said.
SEE RELATED STORIES:
Protestors arrested for blockade at Utah State Capitol over LGBT discrimination bill
Sen. Urquhart smothers colleagues with notes from constituents: ‘Hear nondiscrimination bill’
Urquhart’s antidiscrimination bill shelved due to state’s gay marriage battle
Lincoln Day Breakfast to feature addresses from Governor Herbert and Utah’s new lieutenant governor
THE INDEPENDENT INTERVIEW: Senator Urquhart talks medical marijuana, education and gay rights
