In light of COVID-19 concerns and guidelines on large gatherings from Utah state officials, Transgender Education Advocates of Utah has decided to postpone our 2020 Employment Empowerment Conference, which was scheduled for April 7. 

Transgender Education Advocates of Utah is aware of a proposed bill from Rep. Brad Daw that would prevent transgender youth from accessing hormone therapy or surgery. 

While this proposal is in the early stages and a bill has not been filed, we are alarmed by the impact it could have on our community as well as the unintended consequences that may arise when legislators get between patients and their providers.

Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah are thrilled to announce Candice Metzler will be the first out transgender person in a paid executive director position for a Utah non-profit organization. 

SALT LAKE CITY -- A majority of transgender students feel unsafe at school because of their gender, and Dominion Energy is giving $10,000 toward efforts to change that in Utah. 

According to GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey, nationwide 76% of transgender students feel unsafe at school.

Another 65% experienced verbal harassment, while 25% have been physically harassed, and 12% have been physically assaulted due to their gender expression.

The Board of Directors for Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah held their annual elections December 5. We are proud to announce our new Executive Committee for 2020.

Chair - Becca Green
Vice Chair - Kayden Petersen-Craig
Secretary - Johanna Goss
Treasurer - Cami Richardson

Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah is aware of a recent incident at the Fairpark Driver's License Division Office where an individual was required to remove makeup for the purposes of obtaining a Utah Driver's License.

We have been in contact with both the individual who was asked to remove makeup and administrators with the Utah Driver's License Division. TEA of Utah supports and works to maintain access to identity documents that are congruent with an individual's gender identity. We also continue our efforts to insure that transgender and gender nonconforming individuals are treated with dignity and respect in all forms of public access and accommodation.

Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah stands with the Utah Pride Center and Equality Utah in opposing a provision in Utah Senate Bill 138, Sex Change Amendments, which would prevent parents of transgender youth from petitioning the courts on behalf of their children.

Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah is pleased to see a bill introduced in the Utah State Senate that addresses the process of changing our names and gender markers. We hope that the bill continues on an affirming path as it makes its way through the Utah Legislature. We believe there should clarity in this judicial process, and that requirements to file for name and gender marker changes should be uniform. This will be helpful for transgender people throughout the state of Utah, as well as the judges that hear our cases.

Our hearts are saddened by news this morning that transgender people are not allowed to serve in the US Military. This move will not prevent transgender people from serving, but it will cause many of those who are already in the military to hide who they are. This serves no purpose but to alienate and stigmatize people who are offering their lives in service to our country, and to enable bigotry and hatred.