WASHINGTON — Utah's path to combining LGBT rights and religious freedom in newly passed legislation might be more of a template for the nation than the law itself.

The passage of the bills that continue to draw national attention, including here in Washington, D.C. Monday, didn't just happen over a 45-day legislative session that ended last Thursday. They were the result of overcoming a rift that went much deeper and further back than that.

State lawmakers, gay rights advocates and the state's dominant religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, came together after years of tension stemming from Proposition 8 in California and Amendment 3, the Utah law ruled unconstitutional defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

"There was a lot of pain in Utah on both sides of this. For many years there has been a desire to pass protection for LGBT people. There have been those agitating for greater religious freedoms," said former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt.

"I think a key element of the secret sauce here is moving to meet the needs of both simultaneously," he said. "It has to happen at the same time because the other side will not trust that you will come back and protect them later."

Leavitt said the LDS Church stepped in not to wield power but to be the "convener" and "healer."

The former governor joined Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams and University of Utah law professor Cliff Rosky and a panel of national experts to talk about gay rights, religious freedom and the "Mormon proposal" at the Brookings Institution Monday.

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Deseret News: 'Mormon proposal' sparks forum in Washington, D.C.

Brookings Institution and Deseret News panel discussions bring light to process that led to historic deal and potential for the nation.

Brookings, a long-established public policy think tank, and the Deseret News hosted two panel discussions on the laws passed last week in Utah combining anti-discrimination and religious liberties.

Panelists tackled the question: "Gays, Mormons, and the Constitution: Are there win-win answers for LGBT rights and religious conscience?"

They disagreed that the law itself could be a blueprint for other states, though there was some agreement that the state's pathway to it could be followed.

Rosky, board chairman of the LGBT advocacy rights group Equality Utah, said it's a "milestone" but not a model because Utah has longstanding religious exemptions not found in other states or federal law.

"It is not a model for the rest of the country. It is not a model for the federal government," said Sarah Warbelow, legal director at the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT advocacy group.

Still, Warbelow called it "solid" legislation that is drawing attention.

"Everyone is absolutely noticing. I think that's one thing we can guarantee," she said, adding the reaction is mixed in the LGBT community.

To watch the panel discussion in its entirety, or read more details of what was said, visit www.deseretnews.com.

Contributing: Andrew Adams

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