In advance of the International Transgender Day of Visibility and the passing of Utah’s contentious trans bathroom act, the Salt Lake City Council expressed solidarity with the trans community.
The City Council approved a resolution on Tuesday that “commends the courage and resilience of the trans community in their ongoing struggle for equal rights and recognition.” Nex Benedict, a nonbinary youth from Oklahoma who died on February 8 under unclear circumstances, was mentioned in the resolution, highlighting recent legislative efforts in Utah and across the country “targeting transgender children.”
Chris Wharton, vice president of the City Council, stated that Salt Lake City “aims to be a place that is welcoming to you, that respects you, and that appreciates all that you contribute to our community.”
While the decision primarily conveys a symbolic message of support, it is a response to conservative lawmakers’ efforts to restrict healthcare options for transgender youth and limit access to public restrooms for the transgender community.
HB257, signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox in January, only allows trans individuals to use public facilities that align with their gender identity if they have undergone gender-affirming surgery and changed the gender marker on their birth certificates. Additionally, transgender girls are prohibited from competing on high school sports teams under HB 11, approved by Utah lawmakers in 2022.
Jacey Thornton, senior director of Project Rainbow Utah, an LGBTQ lobbying group, expressed gratitude to the City Council for their stance.
“We fear that individuals, both children and adults, are being penalized for being ourselves,” she told the committee. She also lamented the “trans-to-prison pipeline,” highlighting concerns that the transgender community faces bias and discrimination, leading to disproportionate rates of incarceration.
The City Council’s decision comes amid controversy surrounding Benedict’s death, who had been involved in a altercation with fellow students before passing away, as well as legislative measures that the trans community has criticized. Transgender rights groups have raised concerns in the wake of Benedict’s death, with a preliminary medical examiner’s report suggesting “combined poisoning” from two drugs as the most likely cause of death, as reported by NBC on Wednesday.
Given the legislative efforts affecting trans individuals and incidents like Benedict’s death, the Salt Lake City Council resolution emphasizes the “urgent need” for the area to “stand in solidarity” with the community. Additionally, it pledges support for policies aimed at safeguarding the rights and safety of the transgender community.
To commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility, Equality Utah is organizing a rally on Saturday at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City to raise awareness about transgender individuals. The event begins at 4 p.m.
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Tim Vandenack covers immigration, cultural issues, and Northern Utah for KSL.com. He has reported from Mexico, Chile, and along the U.S.-Mexico border and worked for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden for several years.
