Wyo. Lawmakers See Movement On Gay Rights Issues

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Legislation that would have created same-sex civil unions and prohibited discrimination against gays in Wyoming got some unlikely supporters in a handful of Republicans.

Supporters say the fact such bills made it to the full House and Senate in the legislative hearing that started last month before failing shows that the shifting national attitude toward gay rights is affecting views in red states such as Wyoming.

State Sen. Cale Case signed on as a co-sponsor on the anti-discrimination bill.

He says people are beginning to realize that the issue is not a big deal and that national action on gay rights in the courts, the military and other states is seeping into the public consciousness in Wyoming.