Utah Legislature Approves Transgender Bathroom Ban

On Friday, Utah lawmakers approved a bill that prohibits transgender individuals from using bathrooms in schools and government buildings that align with their gender identities.

A new House Bill 257 has been introduced, titled "Sex-based Designations for Privacy, Anti-bullying and Women's Opportunities." This bill aims to establish the state's legal definition of "male" and "female" based on a person's genitalia rather than their gender identity. The bill is now on its way to the governor's desk for final approval.

Lawmakers in Utah have once again passed legislation that restricts the rights of the state's transgender community, marking the third consecutive year.

Utah Legislature Approves Transgender Bathroom BanPhoto bysltrib

In a striking turn of events, the bill has been passed, a mere seven years after North Carolina's controversial HB 2 sparked widespread national outrage. The passage of HB 2 in Utah has garnered relatively little attention compared to the boycotts and protests it sparked in other states.

While global corporations, big-name performers, and college sports leagues made headlines for their opposition to similar bills, the response to the Utah bill has been relatively muted, with most of the attention coming from advocates and LGBTQ individuals residing in the state.

If the bill is passed, it would become the 13th law in the country that restricts the access of transgender individuals to public facilities in certain ways. This information comes from the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ research group that has been closely monitoring these bills.

Advocates of the measure claimed that the bill is crucial in order to protect women from potential harm by individuals who may exploit their gender identity to gain access to bathrooms and changing facilities.

Sexual assault is a crime that transcends all boundaries. Utah state Rep. Kera Birkeland, the lead sponsor of the bill, emphasized the importance of maintaining boundaries between men and women's spaces in Utah and throughout the United States during a recent statement on X. "There is a lack of attention being given to crimes committed by individuals within the transgender community against women."

On the other hand, the bill has faced strong criticism for specifically targeting the transgender community in the state. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, expressed strong opposition to the legislation, characterizing it as a significant encroachment on fundamental freedoms.

In a statement released on Friday, she emphasized the importance of ensuring that every student has access to the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their own private spaces. Period.

The fate of the bill, which awaits the signature of Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, remains uncertain. There has been no immediate response from Cox's office regarding a request for comment, and the governor has yet to make any public statements regarding the bill.

In 2022, Cox vetoed a bill that sought to restrict transgender students' participation in girls' sports teams at school. Following the governor's veto, Utah lawmakers successfully overrode the decision, resulting in the bill becoming law. Last year, Cox swiftly enacted a law prohibiting gender affirming care for minors during the initial weeks of the legislative session.

Equality Utah, an LGBTQ advocacy group, issued a statement on X Friday, reporting their successful efforts to incorporate protective measures in HB 257. These measures aim to shield minors from criminal repercussions when they defy the law. The organization also expressed its commitment to ongoing advocacy for transgender youth.

A proposed bill aimed at restricting transgender individuals from using public restrooms aligned with their gender identity at publicly funded establishments, such as hospitals and airports, has been modified.

The state's Senate has made amendments to the language, narrowing down the scope of the prohibitions to public schools and government-owned facilities. This decision has been widely supported by state House lawmakers.

A spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, Aaron Welcher, expressed concern over the ongoing political attacks targeting transgender and nonbinary individuals in the state.

"It is a regrettable situation, considering the importance we place on advocating for people's rights and civil liberties. Additionally, it is disheartening to note that a significant number of young individuals have been impacted during this three-year period."

The Source: nbcnews