jamiesfeast – Utah has become the latest state to implement regulations regarding bathroom access for transgender individuals. Republican Governor Greg Cox has signed a law mandating that individuals use the bathroom or locker room that aligns with their sex assigned at birth when in public schools and government-owned buildings. This move puts Utah in line with 10 other states that have already enacted similar measures.
In a statement on Tuesday night, Cox expressed the desire for public facilities that prioritize safety and inclusivity for all individuals. He emphasized that the bill in question aims to enhance privacy protections for everyone.
On January 26, the Republican-controlled Senate successfully passed the bill.
Ten additional states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, have enacted legislation to regulate bathroom usage.
The Utah bill mandates the inclusion of single-occupant bathrooms in new government buildings. Furthermore, it urges the state to enhance privacy by adding more restrooms in existing buildings, but no funding has been provided for this purpose.
According to the Utah chapter of the ACLU, this bill not only perpetuates discrimination but also unnecessarily creates obstacles for the everyday needs of individuals in Utah. Moreover, there is concern that this legislation may lead to harmful and discriminatory enforcement against transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals.
Under the law, individuals who engage in inappropriate behavior in changing rooms may face charges such as loitering, lewdness, or voyeurism, depending on their actions. Additionally, if a person enters or remains in a changing room in a manner that would reasonably cause offense or alarm to another individual, they could also be charged with trespassing.