New Housing Rules for Transgender Students Passed by Utah Lawmakers

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Utah lawmakers have approved a bill that will prevent transgender college students from living in dormitories that align with their gender identity. The measure, which has passed both the state House and Senate with veto-proof support, now awaits action from Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, who has previously signaled support for similar restrictions.

Under the new policy, students at Utah’s public colleges and universities must use dormitories, bathrooms, and locker rooms based on their sex assigned at birth. Transgender students will still have the option to live in private rooms within coed housing facilities.

Heated Debate Over the Bill

The legislation was met with intense debate, particularly in the Senate, where a Republican lawmaker suggested that those who do not conform to social norms bear responsibility for their struggles. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Sahara Hayes, Utah’s only openly LGBTQ+ legislator, voiced strong opposition, arguing that transgender individuals are repeatedly targeted by the state’s policies.

“This community is exhausted,” Hayes said on the House floor, tearing up as she spoke. “Every year, we live in fear of what new restrictions will be imposed.”

The bill’s lead sponsor, Republican Rep. Stephanie Gricius, defended the measure, stating that it is designed to protect the privacy of female students. The issue gained attention after a social media post from a mother criticized a Utah university for assigning her daughter a transgender suitemate without prior notification.

Ongoing Restrictions on Transgender Rights

This new housing policy is the latest in a series of restrictions aimed at Utah’s transgender population. In recent years, the state has banned transgender girls from participating in girls’ school sports (a ban currently blocked by a judge), prohibited gender-affirming medical care for minors, and passed a law preventing transgender individuals from using bathrooms in certain public facilities.

Utah is among several states with such regulations. Similar bathroom restrictions exist in Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and other Republican-led states, with Ohio’s law set to take effect later this month. Meanwhile, a judge has temporarily halted enforcement of Idaho’s version of the law.

Legal and Social Implications

Opponents argue that the new dormitory restrictions will make life more difficult for transgender students, potentially exposing them to discrimination and social isolation. Utah State University sophomore Marcie Robertson, a transgender woman, testified that she has endured harassment and threats since becoming the focus of online controversy over campus housing.

“I feel like I’ve been specifically targeted by this legislation,” Robertson said.

Sen. Daniel Thatcher was the only Republican lawmaker to vote against the bill, warning that it will likely lead to legal challenges.

“This isn’t about protecting students,” Thatcher said. “It’s about sending a message to a small, vulnerable group of people, and that’s not something the government should be doing.”

As Gov. Cox reviews the legislation, advocacy groups and legal experts are preparing potential challenges, arguing that the law infringes on the rights of transgender students and may not withstand judicial scrutiny.

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