Kera Birkeland | |
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![]() Birkeland at the 2022 Hazlitt Summit hosted by Young Americans for Liberty Foundation | |
Member of the Utah House of Representatives | |
Assumed office April 16, 2020 | |
Preceded by | Logan Wilde |
Constituency | 53rd district (2020–2023) 4th district (2023–present) |
Personal details | |
Born | Kera V. Yates [1] 1982or1983(age 40–41) |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Lars Birkeland |
Children | 5 |
Residence | Morgan,Utah |
Alma mater | Brigham Young University |
Kera Birkeland is an American politician,educator,and coach from Utah. She currently serves as the representative for Utah House District 4. She is on the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee,House Education Committee,and House Judiciary Committee. [2] Birkeland replaced Logan Wilde in April 2020,and was elected to a full term in 2020,with 64 percent of the vote. [3]
Prior to election,she competed in the 2012 Mrs. Utah pageant [4] and served as a delegate at the Republican National Convention in the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries,representing Ted Cruz.
She expressed distaste toward Donald Trump at the time. [5] Birkeland reported being threatened in the bathroom by other female [6] Trump supporters who allegedly told her "you should die" after disagreements regarding floor proceedings. [7]
In January 2021,Birkeland introduced a resolution to honor Utah Jazz player Donovan Mitchell over retired player Shaquille O'Neal,as well as to make 'Spida' (Mitchell's nickname) the state arachnid of Utah. The resolution passed. [8]
During the 2021 legislative session,Birkeland led efforts and introduced a bill to ban female transgender athletes from high school sports in Utah. [9] This was vetoed by Republican Utah Governor Spencer Cox but passed with a supermajority in the legislature in a subsequent vote after proponents flipped ten votes in the state house and five in the senate. [10] The law currently faces ongoing litigation led by the ACLU of Utah. [11]
In August,a state judge issued an injunction stopping enforcement of the ban,but left the rest of the bill in effect,meaning that transgender girls can seek permission from the commission to play on girls high school sports teams. [12]
The names of the minor age athletes and the resulting rulings brought by parents to the board,are confidential under Utah government records law. [13] On February 7,2024,Birkeland revealed that 4 [14] student athletes had petitioned the Utah sports commission and all 4 had been denied in closed session. [15]
The flag of the state of Utah was adopted in February 2011 and consists of the seal of Utah encircled in a golden circle on a background of dark navy blue. It replaced a previous,albeit rather similar,flag that had been in use since 1913. It is one of the state flags of the United States.
The rights of lesbian,gay,bisexual,and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. state of Utah have significantly evolved in the 21st century. Protective laws have become increasingly enacted since 2014,despite the state's reputation as socially conservative and highly religious. Same-sex marriage has been legal since the state's ban was ruled unconstitutional by federal courts in 2014. In addition,statewide anti-discrimination laws now cover sexual orientation and gender identity in employment and housing,and the use of conversion therapy on minors is prohibited. In spite of this,there are still a few differences between the treatment of LGBT people and the rest of the population,and the rights of transgender youth are restricted.
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Angela Romero is an American politician and the Democratic leader of the Utah House of Representatives representing the 25th District since January 1,2023. Prior to redistricting,she represented the 26th District since January 1,2013.
Daniel McCay is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah Senate representing District 18. Prior to redistricting he represented District 11. He was in the Utah House of Representatives representing District 41 from 2013 through 2018. McCay was initially appointed by Republican Governor of Utah Gary Herbert to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Carl Wimmer.
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