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The transgender dorm change measure is advanced by the Utah House

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Salt Lake City, Utah – With a 59-13 vote on Tuesday, the House comfortably adopted a bill that would require students living in public university dorms in Utah to only remain in sections designated for their sex at birth.

H.B. 269, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Gricius (R-Eagle Mountain), was a hotly disputed topic in the days leading up to the House vote. It will alter the rules for people who identify as transgender on campus.

“People are more vulnerable in dorms than anywhere else. These students reside at this location. They’re asleep. According to Gricius, “it will help ensure that the rights of all people are protected by providing clear guidance and expectations from the onset.”

The legislation notes that it “requires degree-granting institutions to comply with sex designations in assigning 22 students to dwelling units within the institution’s sex-designated student housing.”

Before the vote, there was a heated debate during which some MPs accused the House of discriminating against the LGBTQ community.

Rep. Sahara Hayes (R-Millcreek) stated, “This body has purposefully singled out transgender students for exclusionary practices for the fourth year in a row.” “I must admit that the LGBTQ community is quite worn out. We are so sick of being afraid every year because we have no idea how we will be targeted.”

Many people voiced their support and opposition to the proposed bill during a House committee meeting last week.

One parent who attended the conference said her daughter was uneasy around a transgender residence hall RA at Utah State University.

According to Cheryl Saltzman, “I didn’t think it was something that could happen,” “I didn’t think that the university would just put a biological male into a woman’s space.”
Gricius admitted that she had sponsored the law since she had not been involved in any criminal situations.

The bill will now be put to a vote in the Utah Senate.

 

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