- Lawmakers advanced a bill to replace most references to "gender" in state code with "sex."
- The bill went through significant changes that stripped out several more controversial provisions.
- LGBTQ+ advocates criticized it as yet another attack on the community.
SALT LAKE CITY — A House committee approved a proposal to replace most references to "gender" in state code with "sex," after it went through significant changes that stripped out several of its more controversial provisions.
HB183 would replace the word "gender" with "sex" in many places in state code, except in certain sections that address protections from discrimination. The House Judiciary Committee voted 8-3 late Thursday to pass the bill, sending it to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
"Utah code does not contain a single universally applicable definition of gender, which can create ambiguity," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Tiara Auxier, R-Morgan. "By focusing on sex and standardizing the terminology throughout state law and administrative rules, it promotes uniform interpretation and administrative efficiency."
The bill was watered down from an earlier version that would have banned Utahns from changing the sex designation on their birth certificate. It also initially sought to give preferential treatment in child custody cases to a parent who is not supportive of a child identifying with a gender that does not match their sex at birth.
The bill's original sponsor was Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, but he passed it on to Auxier ahead of the House Judiciary Committee meeting Thursday. Auxier was joined by former pediatrician David Boettger, who urged lawmakers to support the bill and railed against the idea of "gender identity."
But as Boettger meandered into a story about a botched circumcision involving a child in Canada, Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Syracuse, the committee chair, called him to order.
"I'm concerned that this is not germane to the bill," Lisonbee said, before Boettger wrapped up his remarks.
Even with the changes to HB183, LGBTQ+ advocates criticized it as yet another attack on the community.
"Policies like this do not make Utah safer or stronger," said David Torrey, a Salt Lake resident who identifies as a non-binary individual. "They make people like me more vulnerable."
Brynn Mikesell, a transgender woman, said she didn't want to have to testify but insisted that transgender people are "not a threat to anyone."
"Having only 30 seconds to try to defend my humanity is difficult," Mikesell said, referring to the time limit placed on public comments.
Rep. Jason Thompson, R-River Heights, acknowledged Mikesell after public comment closed, saying they shared a "great conversation in the past." He said adding clear language will ensure Utah laws are interpreted faithfully.
Thompson also emphasized the "painstaking" work lawmakers have put into this, "making sure that the language is right and proper and that all protections against discrimination for gender identity are still protected and preserved."
Rep. Grant Amjad Miller, D-Salt Lake City, thanked those who showed up to speak against the bill.
"Your advocacy means something," he said. "When you advocate for trans rights, you're advocating for civil rights."
One Republican, Rep. Anthony Loubet, R-Kearns, joined two Democrats in voting against the bill.
Still, even after the vote, emotions were high.
"You have blood on your hands," one man yelled as the meeting adjourned.
This is not the only bill this session dealing with transgender issues. HB174 would permanently ban the use of hormones and puberty blockers for gender-related care for minors. It passed the House and is sitting in the Senate.
Another bill, HB404, seeks to allow private landlords to restrict who can live in all-male or all-female housing — where residents share a bedroom or bathroom — based on their sex at birth. That bill has passed both chambers and is awaiting action by Gov. Spencer Cox.
The legislative session ends March 6.
