Utah Laws Leave Out This Community In Almost Every Aspect

Utah has long held the title of a conservative state but that doesn’t mean it is completely devoid of people who don’t fit the bill. 

Though in recent years there has been turmoil surrounding the LGBTQ+ community in the state, people are still coming out and joining communities that accept them. Despite Utah’s deeply religious affiliations and reputation, there are some resources and laws in place to help eliminate discrimination.  

October 11 is National Coming Out Day and though Utah isn’t the BEST place for those in the LGBTQ+ community, it still offers some protections.  

Some laws are made from federal mandates like discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity, but many laws are either non-existent or only by local law. Basically, where you are in Utah can impact your life if you are in the LGBTQ+ community.  

According to data from the Movement Advancement Project, there are policies in place for those with sexual orientations in the LGBTQ+ community and seen as “fair”. However, policies for gender identity are ranked as “low”.  

Utah’s state laws only protect workplace and housing which does not include public accommodations, the research said. There are also no laws preventing conversion therapy for minors in any part of the state as of 2024.  

In the most basic sense, there are very few non-discrimination laws in the state and only hate crimes are used outside of the workplace and housing for protection. There are no laws in place where a same sex married couple can adopt without discrimination.  

So, with National Coming Out Day later this week it is imperative to have Utah policy makers, families and the public to consider the need for these laws to be updated, enforced or expanded for the protection of Utah’s LGBTQ+ community.