Anti-transgender hate moves fast in the US of A.
In Utah, and just three days from the start of the session, the right-wing Republican Party-controlled House passed a proposal that would ban transgender people from using restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity in taxpayer-funded buildings. The proposal now heads to the Senate for consideration; it is expected to pass since Republicans also dominate that chamber.
House Bill 257 specifically aims to:
- Prohibit all individuals from using facilities (i.e. government buildings, correctional facilities and domestic violence shelters) that differ from their sex assigned at birth. Exemption will be granted to those who already underwent transition-related surgery, and who already legally amended the sex on their birth certificate.
- Require new government buildings to include single-occupant restrooms and changing rooms. Existing government buildings need to assess “the feasibility of retrofitting or remodeling” facilities to improve privacy.
Utah House lawmakers voted 52-17.
If this bill is passed, it would make Utah the third American state to explicitly restrict transgender bathroom use in buildings other than schools. Florida and North Dakota already prevent trans people from using facilities consistent with their gender identity. Seven states have laws barring trans people from using restrooms or locker rooms consistent with their gender identity in K-12 schools.
