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.