The Mormon Church may still not be ready for gay marriage, as evidenced by their role in California’s Proposition 8; but they’ve put their support behind Salt Lake city laws banning discrimination against gays in housing and employment as of a Tuesday vote in the city council.

“The church supports these ordinances because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage,” Michael Otterson, the director of public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said.

Passage made Salt Lake City the first Utah community to prohibit bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Under the two new ordinances, it is illegal to fire someone from their job or evict someone from their residence because they are lesbian, bisexual, gay or transgender.

Despite this “historic event,” as was articulated by Brandie Balken, director of the gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah, the Mormon Church still maintains inherent disputes with gay relationships.

Mormonism considers traditional marriages central to God’s plan. Gays are welcome in church, but must remain celibate to retain church callings and full membership.

Its strong support for Proposition 8 in California last year drew a sharp reaction from gay rights supporters nationwide, with many protesting outside temples that singled out Mormons as the key culprits in restricting the rights of gay couples.

Regardless, this is a crucial step toward tolerance and understanding in what many consider to be one of the most conservative state’s in the country.