Unfortunately, HB 302 passed the Utah House of Representatives on a vote of 50 to 23 just a few minutes ago. It will now go to the Senate and, likely, end up on the Governor's desk. Now is the time to contact Utah state senators and tell them to stop HB 302 from becoming law. We must tell Utah Legislators that if they continue to attack our most vulnerable children there will be a price to pay. This is NOT over. In fact, it is expanding based on the sexist and racist actions of many of the same Legislators on other bills. I ask that you continue to show support for Utah's transgender youth by spreading the word about the hateful message Utah is sending to the country and the world. If Utah cannot be inclusive and welcome all people, it should not continue to profit at their expense. We cannot let bigotry continue to thrive in Utah communities.
To: Team U.S.A.: The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and its Constituent Councils and the IOC
CONDEMN BIGOTRY: DENY UTAH'S OLYMPIC BID AND OTHER SPORTS EVENTS
I am asking for Team U.S.A to denounce the recent transphobic and racist actions of the Utah State Legislature by withdrawing its support for the state as long as it continues to condone legislation intended to attack and marginalize its most vulnerable youth and citizens. Additionally, I am asking Team U.S.A. and the IOC to halt any consideration of Utah's Olympic bid proposal.
Utah has a long history of hosting winter sport athletic events, including the 2002 Olympics, and is currently in the process of bidding for the 2030 or 2034 Olympic Games. However, the state's current climate of bigotry and hate conflicts with the inclusion and unity that the Olympics and other national and international sporting events symbolize.
Sadly, many Utah Legislators have demonstrated this by supporting cruel bills that directly discriminate against and harm transgender youth while refusing to consider legislation to address problems related to systemic racism and sexual violence.
The vicious attack that Utah Lawmakers have launched on our transgender youth and their failure to acknowledge systemic racism and sexism cannot and should not be tolerated. Utah should be denied the prestige and profits of hosting national and international sporting events as long as it continues to target its own citizens.
Utah has a long history of hosting winter sport athletic events, including the 2002 Olympics, and is currently in the process of bidding for the 2030 or 2034 Olympic Games. However, the state's current climate of bigotry and hate conflicts with the inclusion and unity that the Olympics and other national and international sporting events symbolize.
Sadly, many Utah Legislators have demonstrated this by supporting cruel bills that directly discriminate against and harm transgender youth while refusing to consider legislation to address problems related to systemic racism and sexual violence.
The vicious attack that Utah Lawmakers have launched on our transgender youth and their failure to acknowledge systemic racism and sexism cannot and should not be tolerated. Utah should be denied the prestige and profits of hosting national and international sporting events as long as it continues to target its own citizens.
Why is this important?
The Utah Legislature is on the verge of passing two anti-transgender bills in the coming days. HB 92 sponsored by Representative Shipp and Senator Bramble punishes physicians who provide gender affirming care. HB 302 sponsored by Representative Kera Birkeland completely bans transgender athletic participation in K-12 sports. These bills are not based on medical evidence and neither the medical community nor the transgender community were consulted when they were drafted.The discriminatory actions of the Utah Legislature should not be rewarded, especially when the current policy in place by the Utah High School Activities Association is in-line with current NCAA and IOC policies.
The Utah House of Representatives has also failed to condemn racism and address issues related to sexual violence this year by refusing to pass concurrent resolution HCR003 and HB 177. Both of these bills were attempts to make progress on systemic issues that Utah has long since struggled with.
HCR003 can be found at: https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/HCR003.html. The resolution was an attempt to reverse some of the harms done to Utah Native American tribes in the past and prevent those same harms from occurring in the future as explained it its summary:
"[The] resolution recognizes the harm done by using Native American mascots, encourages schools in the public education system to consider retiring those mascots, and encourages the State Board of Education and local education agencies to provide instruction in Native American culture and history."
HB 177 is located here: https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/HB0177.html, and failed to pass the education committee. Sexual violence, particularly rape, is a serious problem in Utah. In fact, cases of rape in Utah consistently exceed the national average, demonstrating a need for the curriculum. HB 177 was an attempt to address the issue and would have instructed the State Board of Education to establish a curriculum that would "include instruction in: consent, including what does not constitute consent; sexual violence behavior prevention; and sexual assault resource strategies; amends provisions related to when a student receives health education instruction; requires a local education agency (LEA) to review data on sexual assault for each county".
It is important to send a message to Utah Legislators letting them know that bigotry and hate will not be tolerated by organizations such as Team U.S.A. and the IOC.
The Utah House of Representatives has also failed to condemn racism and address issues related to sexual violence this year by refusing to pass concurrent resolution HCR003 and HB 177. Both of these bills were attempts to make progress on systemic issues that Utah has long since struggled with.
HCR003 can be found at: https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/HCR003.html. The resolution was an attempt to reverse some of the harms done to Utah Native American tribes in the past and prevent those same harms from occurring in the future as explained it its summary:
"[The] resolution recognizes the harm done by using Native American mascots, encourages schools in the public education system to consider retiring those mascots, and encourages the State Board of Education and local education agencies to provide instruction in Native American culture and history."
HB 177 is located here: https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/HB0177.html, and failed to pass the education committee. Sexual violence, particularly rape, is a serious problem in Utah. In fact, cases of rape in Utah consistently exceed the national average, demonstrating a need for the curriculum. HB 177 was an attempt to address the issue and would have instructed the State Board of Education to establish a curriculum that would "include instruction in: consent, including what does not constitute consent; sexual violence behavior prevention; and sexual assault resource strategies; amends provisions related to when a student receives health education instruction; requires a local education agency (LEA) to review data on sexual assault for each county".
It is important to send a message to Utah Legislators letting them know that bigotry and hate will not be tolerated by organizations such as Team U.S.A. and the IOC.