A recent Senate debate in Utah saw Republicans divided over a bill that would ban transgender students from living in state public college dorms matching their gender identity. Republican Sen. Daniel Thatcher broke ranks to oppose the measure, arguing it unfairly targets a vulnerable minority. Thatcher, who has previously fought against anti-LGBTQ legislation, believes bills like these send harmful messages. He also questioned why experts weren’t consulted on the bill.
The bill was drafted in response to a conflict at Utah State University where a transgender student faced backlash and harassment from roommates after being assigned to a women’s dorm. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Brady Brammer, defended it by insisting on a strict binary definition of sex tied to genetic makeup at birth. Despite Democratic objections about equal protection and comparisons to segregation, the bill is expected to pass in the Senate.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions within the Republican Party in Utah over LGBTQ rights and the need for more inclusive legislation.
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