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 ACLU of Utah for veto letters to Gov. Cox

Veto Letter to Governor Cox on HB174

The ACLU of Utah strongly urges Governor Cox to veto House Bill 174, Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ Equality
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.
Legislation
Mar 20, 2026

HB174 (Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments)

The original version of HB174 would have largely ended the provision allowing some minors to continue receiving gender-affirming care after being grandfathered in under the original ban passed in 2023, SB16. After much negotiating, the final version of the bill allows minors who are at least 16 years old and already taking hormone therapy on the effective date of the bill to continue their treatment. However, the bill requires all other minors to end their gender affirming care by January 28, 2027. .  
Status: Enacted: Signed by governor
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 13, 2026

HB183 (Sex Designation Amendments)

HB183 was a broad attack on trans and nonbinary Utahns. The bill would have prohibited anyone who does not present as their biological sex from working as a teacher or staff member in public schools, or as certain healthcare providers licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services, if their role requires contact with a child for more than five minutes, such as pediatricians.  
Status: Victory: did not pass
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 13, 2026

HB193 (Transgender Medical Procedures Amendments)

HB193 would have prohibited the use of public funds to pay for gender affirming care for both minors and adults, including hormone treatment and surgical procedures. If passed, individuals would no longer be able to use Medicare, Medicaid, the state health plan, or other public funds to cover such treatment.
Status: Victory: did not pass
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 13, 2026

HB196 (Highway Designation Amendments)

This bill attempted to change the name of Harvey Milk Boulevard in Salt Lake City to Charlie Kirk Boulevard, stripping the name of a beloved street and undermining local control
Status: Victory: did not pass
Position: Oppose