LGBTQ+ Equality

Through litigation, legal advocacy, and public education, the ACLU of Utah protects the civil rights and liberties of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people.

photo with ACLU of Utah staff and volunteers at the Utah State Capitol prior to a hearing about SB 16.

You Have a Right to Be Yourself; We Defend that Right

Through litigation, legal advocacy, and public education, the ACLU of Utah protects the civil rights and liberties of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people.

Defending LGBTQ+ rights

  • We have won numerous legal cases safeguarding the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, and we continue to fight for justice for all Utahns.
  • By working in coalition with communities and advocates.
  • We seek partnership and solidarity with those most affected by policy discrimination and support grassroots efforts to effect long-term, positive change.

Protecting transgender and gender-diverse people

  • Transgender and non-binary youth have a fundamental right to autonomy over their bodies and freedom from government control. We have successfully challenged bills and laws that restrict the rights of transgender youth and continue to advocate for policies that support transgender youth.
  • Utahns should not be deprived of their right to receive an inclusive education free from censorship or discrimination. It's essential that all students, regardless of their identities, have access to library books, school curricula, activities, and viewpoints that reflect their identities. We engage in the legislative process to protect kids from efforts that jeopardize or remove these values.

YOUR RIGHTS, YOUR VOICE

The actions & laws passed by elected officials in Utah can make it feel like any action taken by LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse people does not make a difference. The ACLU of Utah is committed to empowering these communities and partnering through organizing.

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR LGBTQ+ RIGHTS IN UTAH

The Latest

News & Commentary
Header graphic of a sign reading Trans Rights are Human Rights.

Resources for 2SLGBTQ+ People after Ongoing Attacks

In the wake of the Club Q mass shooting, Nick Arteaga, the ACLU of Utah's Trans Rights Organizer, shared a list of resources people can turn to for help.
Press Release
Graphic for the ACLU of Utah that reads "press release".

Comment on HB196 (Harvey Milk Boulevard)

This is one of many bills Rep. Lee has already introduced this legislative session that are vindictive and cruel and do nothing to solve the real, bread and butter issues facing Utahns.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Equality, State Advocacy
News & Commentary
A photo of Becky Pepper-Jackson.

What’s at Stake as the Supreme Court Takes Up Transgender Sports Bans

How one West Virginia teenager could shape the future of Title IX and civil rights protections for transgender youth.
Press Release
Graphic for the ACLU of Utah that reads "press release".

Comment on the Lawsuit Challenging HB11 Being Dismissed

We dismissed our lawsuit challenging HB11 while the U.S. Supreme Court considers arguments that could affect our legal path. Our plaintiffs—young, courageous girls—showed remarkable strength under scrutiny.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Equality
Court Cases: Roe v. Utah High School Activities Association (2022)
Court Case
May 23, 2023

Southern Utah Drag Stars v. City of St. George

ACLU of Utah, ACLU national, and law firm Jenner and Block are representing Southern Utah Drag Stars File Lawsuit Challenging the City of St. George’s Censorship of Drag Performances
Court Case
Oct 03, 2022

Roe v. Utah High School Activities Association (2022)

We dismissed our lawsuit challenging HB11 while the U.S. Supreme Court considers arguments that could affect our legal path. Our plaintiffs—young, courageous girls—showed remarkable strength under scrutiny. Our commitment to transgender youth continues, because protecting one group’s rights protects everyone’s.
Court Case
Apr 13, 2015

Roe v. Patton (2015)

The ACLU of Utah and the national ACLU LGBT Project filed a lawsuit to force the State Office of Vital Records and Statistics to recognize a married same-sex couple as legal parents of their child.
Court Case
Jul 02, 2007

Etsitty v. Utah Transit Authority (2007)