Hundreds Gather at Utah Capitol in Protest of New Transgender Rights Related Bills Favorite 

Lawmakers in a Utah House committee soundly rejected a bill that would have penalized doctors for giving gender-affirming health care to minors, then moments later approved legislation that included similar restrictions on transgender health care — minus the punishment — on party line during a lengthy committee meeting Tuesday.
Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee voted to advance Sen. Mike Kennedy’s, R-Alpine, bill, Senate Bill 16, which has undergone a number of changes since its introduction.

In its current version, it intends to clamp down on doctors’ ability to prescribe hormone therapy to minors and would prohibit transgender-related body-altering surgeries on minors. It would also ask the Department of Health and Human Services to “conduct a systematic review of medical evidence” surrounding hormone treatments for transgender youth.
Several community members from across the valley shared resounding messages of love and support at the protests beforehand to show solidarity with transgender youth. One of those people was Sue Robbins, who currently serves on Equality Utah’s Transgender Advisory Council.

“Your resiliency demonstrates that you are strong, your consistency demonstrates that you are authentic and your joy demonstrates that transition is a true act of self-love,” she said.
Another parent, Lance Sweeten, said allies need to support and stand with members of the LGBTQ community.

“It is important to recognize that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or identity,” he said.
Near the end of his speech, Sweeten wanted everyone to know one thing: “The fight is not over.”
Throughout the rally, attendees were encouraged to contact their legislators and submit a public comment in the hearing.