The rights of lesbian,gay,bisexual,transgender,and queer (LGBTQ) 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. Utah's anti-sodomy law was invalidated in 2003 by Lawrence v. Texas,and fully repealed by the state legislature in 2019. 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 LGBTQ people and the rest of the population,and the rights of transgender youth are restricted.
Gary Richard Herbert is an American politician who served as the 17th governor of Utah from 2009 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party,he chaired the National Governors Association during the 2015–2016 cycle.
Fred LaVar Christensen,known as LaVar Christensen,is an American politician from Utah,who served as a Republican state representative from the state's 48th district. He served from January 1,2003,through December 31,2006,and again from January 1,2011,through 2018.
Scott Daniel McCoy is an American politician and attorney from Florida. A Democrat,he is a former member of the Utah State Senate,where he represented the state's 2nd senate district which comprises portions of Salt Lake City. He resigned from the senate in December 2009 to dedicate himself more fully to his legal career.
John Valentine is a former member of the Utah State Senate,who represented Utah's 14th Senate District from 1999 to 2014. Prior to being appointed to the Utah Senate he served in the Utah House of Representatives representing Utah's 58th House District from 1988 to 1992 and Utah's 59th House District from 1992 to 1998. Valentine served as the Utah Senate President from 2005 to 2008. On August 4,2014,Valentine was appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert to serve as Chair of the Utah State Tax Commission.
Gregory S. Bell is an American politician,real estate developer,and attorney who served as the seventh lieutenant governor of Utah. A Republican,he was a member of the Utah State Senate,representing the state's 22nd senate district in Davis County. Bell was appointed Lieutenant Governor effective September 1,2009. He was elected to half a term November 2,2010,and then elected to a full term November 6,2012.
Margaret Dayton is an American politician from Utah. A member of the Republican Party,she served longer in the Utah Legislature than any other woman in Utah history. After serving a decade in the Utah House of Representatives,she unseated an incumbent senator in 2006 and served in that position until June 2018,when she resigned for medical reasons.
Michael Shumway Lee is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Utah,a seat he has held since 2011. A member of the Republican Party,Lee became Utah's senior senator in 2019 and dean of Utah's congressional delegation in 2021.
Benjamin Michael McAdams is an American politician and attorney who served as the U.S. representative from Utah's 4th congressional district from 2019 to 2021. He was the only Democratic member of Utah's congressional delegation,and a member of the Blue Dog Coalition. From 2013 to 2019,he served as mayor of Salt Lake County,and from 2009 to 2012,he was the Utah state senator from the 2nd district,which includes Salt Lake City,South Salt Lake,and a portion of West Valley. McAdams was elected to Congress in 2018,narrowly defeating two-term Republican incumbent Mia Love. In 2020,McAdams ran for reelection,but he lost to Republican challenger Burgess Owens. He is the most recent Democrat to represent Utah in Congress.
Spencer James Cox is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 18th governor of Utah since 2021. A member of the Republican Party,he served as the eighth lieutenant governor of Utah from 2013 to 2021. In Fairview,Utah,where Cox lives and was raised,he was elected to the city council in 2004 and then as mayor in 2005. In 2008,he was elected as a Sanpete County commissioner.
Merrill F. Nelson is an American politician and a former Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives representing District 68. Merrill announced he was not seeking re-election in 2022.
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.
Kraig J. Powell was an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives representing District 54 from 2009 to 2016. In October 2016,he was appointed as a judge of the Utah 4th District Court by Utah governor Gary Herbert.
Brian Smith King is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Utah House of Representatives from the 23rd district. Before redistricting following the 2020 census,he represented the 28th district since January 1,2009. In April 2024,he became the Democratic nominee for the gubernatorial election against Republican incumbent Spencer Cox.
Don L. Ipson is an American politician. A Republican,he serves and represents the 29th District of the Utah State Senate. He was previously a member of the Utah House of Representatives representing District 75 from 2009 to 2016. His term will expire on January 1st,2025. He is going to run for re-election,and is on the ballot in the Republican primary that is being held on June 25th,2024
Bradley 'Brad' G. Last is an American politician and a former Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives representing District 71.
David P. Hinkins is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate representing District 26. Prior to redistricting he represented District 27. since January 1,2009.
James Daniel Bishop is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 8th congressional district since 2019,when the district was numbered “9”. As a Republican,his district includes south-central Mecklenburg,Union,Anson,Richmond,Scotland,Robeson,Hoke,and southern Moore Counties. He served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2015 to 2017 and the Mecklenburg County Commission from 2005 to 2009. He served in the North Carolina State Senate from 2017 to 2019.
Cannabis in Utah is illegal for recreational use. Possession of small amounts is punishable as a misdemeanor crime. Medical use was legalized by ballot measure in November 2018,after a CBD-only law was passed in 2014 and a limited "right to try" law was passed in March 2018.
Utah state elections in 2020 were held on Tuesday,November 3,2020. Aside from its presidential primaries held on March 3,its primary elections were held on June 30,2020.
