Utah’s new law requires people to use the bathroom corresponding with the sex they were assigned at birth when in public schools and government buildings.
The law only makes exceptions if a person can prove they have had gender-affirming surgery and had the sex on their birth certificate changed. Violators could be charged with trespassing, loitering, or lewdness.
Ten other states already have similar laws in place restricting bathroom usage, and others like West Virginia are considering bills this year.
Governor Cox said the law would ensure Utah’s public facilities are “safe and accommodating for everyone,” but others oppose the legislation and say it is harmful.
California Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who represents district 57, called the law an “abhorrent abuse of authority” by Utah’s lawmakers.
“This law relies on false fears as its genesis and argument,” said Jones-Sawyer, who has supported five bills advocating for and defending trans youth.
Those who oppose this type of legislation say it places unwarranted scrutiny on trans people.
Even though many feel these laws are unlikely to spread to California, the trans community is concerned that the attitudes behind them could expand here.
According to the Trevor project, 91% of transgender and nonbinary youth said that they have worried about transgender people being denied access to the bathroom due to state or local laws.
