Residents of Salt Lake City in Utah have elected their first openly lesbian mayor in a tight contest that pitted Democrats against each other.

Jackie Biskupski, who served for 13 years as state representative, defeated two-time incumbent Democratic Mayor Ralph Becker, getting 19,896 votes or 51.5 percent against her rival who got 18,702 or 48.5 percent.

Biskupski's win is expected to benefit the LGBT community in Utah amid controversies in the last few weeks.

A judge last week ordered the removal of a foster child from a lesbian couple to place her in a heterosexual couple, Fox News reported.

Utah Judge Scott Johansen ruled that it would be in the best interest of the baby. However, his decision was met with criticism, prompting him to reverse his decision and instead ordered a hearing on the matter. Johansen then recused himself from the case.

On the other hand, the Mormon church has issued new rules banning baptisms of children of gay parents until the kids turn 18. The church also disavowed same-sex relationships.

The new policy drew criticisms that led to the resignation of about 1,500 Mormons from their church.

"Our concern with respect to children is their current and future well-being and the harmony of their home environment. The provisions of Handbook 1, Section 16.13, that restrict priesthood ordinances for minors apply only to those children whose primary residence is with a couple living in a same-gender marriage or similar relationship. As always, local leaders may request further guidance in particular instances when they have questions," according to a statement signed by the Mormon church's Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Biskupski, who is not a Mormon, hopes that the church will change its decision, telling the Salt Lake Tribune that one of her first goals is to meet with church leaders to discuss the policy.

She said the church and the LGBT community have "come so far in the last year to bridge the gaps between us, that this new policy feels confusing to many."

The Mormon church endorsed earlier this year a state anti-discrimination law to protect gays and transgenders from discrimination in housing and in the workplace.

Biskupski recalled that when she was first elected lawmaker in 1998, some of her fellow lawmakers would not even shake her hand.

No Republican has been elected mayor of Salt Lake City in four decades.