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SALT LAKE CITY — A lawsuit against a Utah law that prevents transgender athletes from competing in girls high school sports is still working its way through the courts and a judge on Thursday heard brief updates from lawyers on both sides.
Judge Keith A. Kelly in September ordered that the plaintiffs — two athletes and their parents whose identities are being kept anonymous — turn over documents that speak to the adverse effects the girls allege the law has had on their physical and mental health.
Kelly on Thursday said he had reviewed a series of redactions made by plaintiffs and found them to be "appropriate," noting that the redacted information was related to isolated or irrelevant events, third parties, or dealt with other irrelevant information. He asked the plaintiffs' attorneys to confirm the redaction process in a court filing.
Attorneys for the state asked the judge to approve up to 40 hours of deposition for them to question the plaintiffs, saying the 30 hours currently allowed doesn't give time to question all six plaintiffs. Kelly declined to approve 40 hours, telling the defense to request additional deposition time if they end up using the amount currently allotted.
The lawsuit stems from a controversial law approved by the Utah Legislature during the final hours of the 2022 general session. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox initially vetoed the bill, HB11, citing last-minute changes with "no public input," but lawmakers convened a special session in March 2022 to override the veto.
Kelly halted a portion of the bill from going into effect in August 2022 pending the outcome of the lawsuit, meaning transgender girls can seek permission from a commission to play on girls high school sports teams.
