SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday that discriminating against gay people shouldn’t be illegal, although he would prefer it if everyone were treated with respect.

In his most definitive comments yet on gay rights, Herbert told reporters he doesn’t believe sexual orientation should be a protected class in the way that race, gender and religion are.

“We don’t have to have a rule for everybody to do the right thing. We ought to just do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do and we don’t have to have a law that punishes us if we don’t,” Herbert said in his first monthly KUED news conference.

In Utah, it is legal to fire someone for being gay or transgender. The gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah has been trying to change state law for several years but has always been rebuffed by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Really?  REALLY?

So according to this guy – this replacement governor – It’s okay to fire somebody because they happen to be Gay.  That’s acceptable in Utah.

Well, not to me.  And it shouldn’t be to Hollywood.

I have gay friends.  I have Mormon friends.  I would no sooner discriminate against a religion than a sexual orientation.  But that’s not the way it works in Utah, so it’s time to draw a line.

Every year, Hollywood rolls out to Utah to trot out its cool, its different, its alternative and its edgy.  That’s Sundance – a celebration of alternative film making.

Well, here’s the deal, Hollywood.  Utah hates you.  So it’s time to move on.  It’s time to boycott Sundance.

It’s time for Hollywood to realize they are giving money and credence to a state that could give a crap and a half about some of their most creative souls, and move it to anywhere else that’s tolerant.  To Big Bear.  Or Tahoe.  Or Palmdale, for the love of God.  Or anywhere else that is willing to say that this kind of discrimination is no longer acceptable.

The hell with this governor, and the hell with this state.  They can do anything they want, and believe what they want.  That’s fine.  But Hollywood no longer has to accept it.  And every year you do is another year you put up with being treated like second class citizens.

You cannot complain about Prop 8 and go to Sundance.  If you do, you are a hypocrite.

Stop giving them your money.  Stop giving them your support.  Stop pretending that just because one small town enjoys your money, the rest of the state somehow doesn’t hate you for what you are.

You want change?  Hit them where it hurts:  In their pocketbook, and the one event per year that makes them seem relevant.

While you’re at it, boycott your ski vacation to Deer Valley and any other place you slap sticks on your feet and hit the slopes.  Stop fiming TV or Features in Utah.  THEY HATE YOU.

But first and foremost, stand up for yourself.  Boycott Sundance.

If you don’t, then never complain about discrimination again.