Enumeration is especially important to protect LGBTQ students, as research has demonstrated that non-enumerated policies are no more effective to protect vulnerable students than having no policy in place. State laws are only indicated by this item if they provide protection based on both sexual orientation and gender identity.
Utah still needs this protection
The second item indicates model policies and guidance documents, generally created by the state Department of Education, they enumerate sexual orientation and gender identity.
Utah has this protection in policy
The “Alternative Discipline” item indicates state laws that specifically include language that supports alternative forms of discipline that focus on education, remediation, prevention, and providing support for the target of bullying, rather than exclusionary discipline, criminalization, or “zero tolerance” policies for bullying and harassment.
This policy was adopted in August 2017.
Utah has this protection in policy
Finally, the “Cyberbullying” item indicates that the state’s anti-bullying law covers incidents of bullying and harassment that occur electronically, through the internet or another medium. States and individual school districts vary widely on the degree to which anti-cyberbullying enforcement extends beyond the walls of the school. This category does not assess these distinctions, simply whether the law addresses bullying and harassment through electronic means.
This policy was adopted by the Utah State Board of Education in January 2020.
Utah has this protection in policy
This policy was adopted by the Utah State Board of Education in January 2020.
Utah has this protection in policy
This item indicates either legislation, regulations from the state Department of Education, or authoritative guidance from the state organization that regulates intramural secondary school sports allowing transgender students reasonable opportunity and access to participate in school sports.
This policy was updated in the Utah High School Athletics Association handbook in 2020-2021.
Utah has this protection in policy
The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing introduced Rule R156-61 to regulate the pratice of so-called conversion therapy in November 2019. The policy was formally adopted by Governor Herbert in January 2020, protecting minors from this dangerous practice.
Utah has this protection in administrative rule
This item indicates state laws that specifically address homelessness among LGBTQ youth. For example, requiring homeless youth services providers to have non-discrimination policies in place, adequate cultural competency training, enhanced data collection to better understand disparities among this vunerable population, and ensure homeless transgender youth are able to receive appropriate services based on their gender identity and expression.
Utah still needs this protection
In 2019, questions about sexual orientation and gender identity were added to the statewide SHARP (Student Harm and Risk Prevention) survey.
Utah has this protection in policy
This item indicates state law or regulatory guidance that requires any sexual health education provided to students to be specifically inclusive of LGBTQ youth.
Utah still needs this protection
Policy No: 04-09 was adopted by Utah's Division of Juvenile Justice Services in July 2015.
Utah has this protection in policy
In 2017, S.B. 196 repealed Utah's so-called "No Promo Homo" law, which prohibited discussion of LGBTQ issues by students and teachers in public schools. At the time, Utah was only the second state in the nation repeal a "No Promo Homo" law, after California. Since then, Equality Utah's legal team has helped Arizona and South Carolina eliminate similar laws.
Utah has this protection in statute
The data and definitions below have been pulled from the State Equality Index and compiled by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and the Equality Federation Institute.
Use the key below to cross reference the positive and negative laws. Click on a law to learn more or to take action.
Policy or statute in place
Equality in practice - no statute
Work we still need to do
Negative law to be repealed
Click on the law you want to learn more about.
School Suicide Prevention Policies Required
Transgender Inclusion in Sports
Protection from Conversion Therapy
LGBTQ Inclusive Juvenile Justice Policies
Repealed Laws that Restrict Inclusion of LGBTQ Topics in Schools
Enumerated Model Policy
Alternative Discipline
Click on the law you want to learn more about.
LGBTQ Inclusive Sex Education Laws
Laws to Address LGBTQ Youth Homelessness
Enumerated Categories in Law
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