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.
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.
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
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
Cases, Campaigns & Legislation
Jan 20, 2026
HB174 (Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments)
HB174 builds on SB16, the bill passed during the 2023 legislative session that largely banned gender affirming care for minors. HB174 would eliminate exceptions created in SB16 allowing individuals to continue care they were already receiving, and instead forces them to end their ongoing care y January 28, 2027. The bill also removes the requirement set forth in SB16 that the state must continue to review medical evidence regarding gender affirming care, essentially closing the door on the topic.
Status:
Introduced
Position:
Oppose
Jan 15, 2026
HB183 (Sex Designation Amendments)
HB183 is a broad attack on trans and nonbinary Utahns. The bill would prohibit anyone who does not present as their biological sex from working as a teacher or staff in public schools or for 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. HB183 would also essentially ban gender marker changes on birth certificates. Additionally, the bill gets rid of some protections and guidelines preventing discrimination based on gender identity, including allowing some employers and landlords to discriminate against an individual due to their gender identity. Additionally, the bill requires state agencies to use the term "sex" instead of "gender" in all agency rulemaking, and makes corresponding changes to state code. Lastly, in child custody proceedings, the bill would require a court to consider one parent's disapproval of the child's gender identity (if it conflicts with the child's biological sex) as a factor in favor of awarding custody to that parent.
Status:
Introduced
Position:
Oppose
Jan 15, 2026
HB193 (Transgender Medical Procedures Amendments)
HB193 would prohibit the use of public funds to pay for gender affirming care, including hormone treatment and surgical procedures, for both minors and adults. If passed, individuals could not use Medicare, Medicaid, the state health plan, or other public funds to cover such treatment.
Status:
Failed
Position:
Oppose
Jan 14, 2026
HB196 (Highway Designation Amendments)
HB196 undermines local control and serves only to stoke inflammatory politics in Utah. Despite current Utah law giving municipalities the power to name their own streets, this bill would rename Harvey Milk Boulevard in Salt Lake City to Charlie Kirk Boulevard. This bill goes even further however, allowing the Legislature to rename any city-owned streets.
Status:
Introduced
Position:
Oppose
Make an impact
Take Action
Today, years of hard-fought civil liberty protections are under threat.
To influence lawmakers, we need everyone to get involved. Here is 1 action you can take today.
Stay Informed
Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.