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A large crowd gathers inside the capitol, clapping as a lifts up a document to them.

Advocacy

Our work is to achieve full legal equality for LGBTQ Utahns under state civil law.

  • Securing LGBTQ Rights

    Securing LGBTQ Rights

  • Finding Common Ground

    Finding Common Ground

  • Year-Round Engagement

    Year-Round Engagement

Our Role in Utah’s Political Landscape

Our Role in Utah’s Political Landscape

Advocacy isn’t just part of our mission, it’s the essence of who we are. Throughout our history, we have championed legislative victories that have changed lives. From passing a landmark LGBTQ non-discrimination law in housing and employment to banning conversion therapy for minors, our work has helped make Utah a place where progress is possible.

But our work doesn’t end with celebrating these successes. When harmful bills are introduced that threaten the rights of LGBTQ Utahns, we are at the table. We protect our community through ongoing negotiations with lawmakers, while our year-round engagement with legislators helps identify shared values and build common ground. This creates opportunities to open hearts, change minds, and secure lasting progress. We work to ensure that all LGBTQ Utahns and their families belong in the state we call home.

2025 Legislative Session

LGBTQ Bills

The 2025 Utah Legislative Session has concluded. Throughout the session, our team was at the Utah State Capitol every day, advocating for the rights and liberties of LGBTQ Utahns and their families.

Filter year:
  • Passed
    HB 257

    Sex-based Designations for Privacy, Anti-bullying, and Women’s Opportunities

    This bill restricts access to bathrooms and locker rooms for transgender students in public schools and for transgender individuals in government-owned buildings. However, we worked with the sponsors to amend the bill to allow transgender Utahns to use bathrooms in government facilities, excluding schools, without legal repercussions.

    Status: Passed with significant amendments

  • Passed
    SB 150

    Exercise of Religion Amendments

    Modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), this bill protects religious freedoms, which has been used in other states to undermine LGBTQ equality. Equality Utah worked with legislators to ensure it would safeguard rather than disrupt LGBTQ protections.

    Status: Passed with favorable amendments

  • Passed
    HB 424

    Lewdness Involving a Child Amendments

    This bill, initially targeting drag performances for criminal consequences. This bill was amended to apply only to inappropriate behavior by any individual intended to harm children. The final version addresses intentional harm while protecting public performances like drag shows.

    Status: Passed with favorable amendments

  • Failed
    HB 303

    School Curriculum Requirements

    This bill sought to restrict discussions of ā€œsocial and political beliefsā€ in classrooms. While it included protections for LGBTQ students, it ultimately failed due to concerns about vague language and its potential impact on teachers. During the last hours of the 2024 legislative session, this bill was resurrected and amended to ban most flags in public school classrooms, including pride flags. While it failed to pass, we expect it to return in 2025.

    Status: Failed in the House

  • Passed
    HB 261

    Equality Opportunity Initiatives

    This bill eliminates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in Utah’s universities and public schools, including LGBTQ resource centers and programming. Despite this bill’s passage, Equality Utah is committed to finding ways to support our LGBTQ students.

    Status: Passed

  • Failed
    HB 111

    Employment Training Requirement Amendments

    This bill aimed to prevent private sector employers from mandating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. It was ultimately rejected due to concerns over government intrusion into private sector practices.

    Status: Failed in the House

  • Passed
    HB 316

    Inmate Assignment Amendments

    This bill creates a presumption for correctional facilities to house transgender inmates based on their birth sex. We worked with stakeholders to secure amendments to protect inmates under the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards. The bill does allow a path for transgender inmates to be housed according to gender identity.

    Status: Passed with favorable amendments

  • Passed
    HB 234

    Vital Record Information Modifications

    This bill simplifies the process for transgender Utahns to change their name and gender marker on birth certificates, making it easier for them to update their identity documents.

    Status: Passed

  • Failed
    HB 527

    Public Employee Gender-Language Requirements

    Aimed at restricting the use of gender pronouns in the workplace, this bill did not gain traction and failed to advance in the legislative process.

    Status: Failed

Legislative Highlights

This is a timeline outlining featured years. Navigate using the arrow buttons or timeline dots.

2015 Made Non-Discrimination the Law

We secured landmark protections for LGBTQ Utahns through SB 296, ‘The Utah Compromise,’ ensuring no one could be fired or evicted based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious beliefs.

A large crowd gathers inside the capitol, clapping as a lifts up a document to them.

2016 Established Harvey Milk Blvd

Through collaboration with the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor, we dedicated 20 blocks of downtown’s 900 South as Harvey Milk Boulevard, honoring the pioneering gay rights leader.

A group of people clap and cheer under a street sign 'Harvey Milk Blvd'
Street sign that reads 'Harvey Milk Blvd' as a gold sequin fabric unveils it.

2017 Repealed “No Promo Homo”

We overturned Utah’s ‘No Promo Homo’ law with SB 196, which had prohibited discussions of LGBTQ people in public schools, at times preventing teachers from intervening when LGBTQ students face bullying.

Three individuals raise their arms together on a blue stage

2019 Passed Hate Crimes Protections

We worked to secure passage of SB 103, Utah’s first comprehensive hate crimes law protecting LGBTQ people, minority communities, and religious groups under state law.

A large crowd watches a man sign a bill
A large crowd inside of the Utah Capitol onlooking a panel of men signing a bill

2020 Banned Conversion Therapy

We secured a ban on conversion therapy, working with state regulators to protect LGBTQ minors from the harmful discredited practices aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

An individual stands behind a podium at a press conference with an Equality Utah backdrop behind them. There is a group of people standing with them.

2023 Codified Conversion Therapy Protections

We secured the unanimous passage of HB 228 both in the Utah House and Senate, transforming Utah’s regulatory ban on conversion therapy into permanent state law.

A man sits at a table signing a bill with a group of people behind him smiling

2024 Secured LGBTQ Protections in Religious Freedom Law

We secured LGBTQ protections within Utah’s Religious Freedom (RFRA) bill, making Utah one of the few states to ensure RFRA legislation safeguards rather than undermines LGBTQ rights.

Capitol building for the state of Utah.
A professional photo of a woman standing indoors, wearing a beige blazer over a white top. She is looking upward with a slight smile. The background is blurred, showing other people in the casual attire.
Clapping happy people under a street sign: Harvey Milk Blvd

Protections

While our work continues, Utah stands out as the conservative state with the strongest protections for the LGBTQ community.

Equality Utah image presentation
Mitt Romney and Troye Williams pose together indoors.

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Upcoming Events

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  • Allies Gala
    Event
    10.11.2025

    Allies Gala

    Join thousands at our signature event, where we celebrate our achievements, honor our champions, and build momentum for positive change.
  • Man standing on stage in front of a blue backdrop with Equality Utah Logos, holds a microphone and points at audience.
    Event

    PAC Brunch

    Brunch with a mission! Join us and master storyteller Dustin Lance Black as we rewrite the future, one mimosa and pro-equality candidate at a time.
Change starts with you

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