The Church Office Building in downtown Salt Lake City. Deseret News file photo
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is clarifying its position on a hate crimes law in Utah, and says it will not oppose legislation this year.
Church officials told the Deseret News they want to make it clear they do not oppose the hate crimes legislation, and that includes sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Church says a statement made in 2016 was not intended to apply to other efforts, and they feel lawmakers should come up with good public policy to protect people.
A bill has not yet been introduced, but state senator Daniel Thatcher says he will try again for what he calls a victim targeting bill. Previous attempts have failed.
Read more in the Deseret News here.