New Utah Bill Restricts Dormitory Access for Transgender Students

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Utah lawmakers have given final approval to a bill that limits where transgender students can live in dormitories at public universities. The legislation, which follows online controversy surrounding a transgender resident assistant at Utah State University, now heads to Gov. Spencer Cox for consideration.

Details of the Bill

Sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain, the bill mandates that transgender students reside in gender-neutral housing options rather than dormitories designated for men or women. Gricius emphasized that transgender students will still have access to on-campus accommodations, but the policy is intended to prevent conflicts in gendered living spaces.

“This is a complex and emotional issue, but no one deserves harassment—regardless of their identity,” Gricius said when presenting the bill in the House.

Legislative Process and Debate

The bill passed its final legislative hurdle on Monday morning after the Senate approved a slightly modified version last week. Although the House did not engage in further debate before voting, Gricius made a pointed remark about one of the Senate’s revisions.

“Our Senate colleagues needed some clarification on what a birth certificate is, so we added a definition for them,” she said with a hint of sarcasm.

The updated language specifies that an “unamended birth certificate” is one that has not been altered or one that has only undergone changes due to clerical errors or misidentification in the case of intersex individuals.

Partisan Divide Over the Measure

The bill, which passed largely along party lines, saw opposition from most Democrats and one Republican senator. Supporters argue that it safeguards female students from having to share living spaces with individuals assigned male at birth. However, opponents contend that universities already handle housing concerns on a case-by-case basis and that the legislation unfairly targets transgender students.

As the bill awaits the governor’s signature, LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights groups are evaluating potential responses, warning that the measure could face legal challenges in the future.

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