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 Utah's anti-sodomy law was invalidated in 2003 by Lawrence v. Texas,and fully repealed by the state legislature in 2019.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.
Curtis Scott Bramble is an American politician and Certified Public Accountant serving as a member of the Utah State Senate,representing the state's 24th senate district. Prior to redistricting he represented the 16th senate district in Provo. On March 18,2024,he announced that he would retire from the legislature at the end of 2024.
Patricia W. "Pat" Jones is an American politician from Utah. A Democrat,she was a member of the Utah State Senate from 2006 to 2014,and currently runs the Women’s Leadership Institute in Utah. She is also senior adviser at Cicero Group,a research and strategy firm in Salt Lake City.
Scott Jenkins is an American politician and businessman from Utah. A Republican,he is a member of the Utah State Senate,representing the state's 20th senate district covering parts of Weber and Davis counties. He is retiring from his position as Senator and will not be running for reelection in 2016. Jenkins has an associate degree from Weber State University.
Mark Benson Madsen is an American politician and attorney from Utah. A Libertarian,he is a former member of the Utah State Senate,where he represented the state's 13th senate district in Utah,and Tooele Counties including the city of Lehi. Madsen is the grandson of Ezra Taft Benson,Secretary of Agriculture under President Eisenhower.
Mark Archuleta Wheatley is a Democratic member of the Utah State House of Representatives,representing the 35th District since 2004. He lives in Murray,Utah,with his wife Josie.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Utah since October 6,2014. On December 20,2013,the state began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as a result of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah's ruling in the case of Kitchen v. Herbert,which found that barring same-sex couples from marrying violates the U.S. Constitution. The issuance of those licenses was halted during the period of January 6,2014 until October 6,2014,following the resolution of a lawsuit challenging the state's ban on same-sex marriage. On that day,following the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to hear an appeal in a case that found Utah's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional,the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the state to recognize same-sex marriage.
Todd Weiler is a Republican member of the Utah State Senate. He lives in Woods Cross,Utah. Weiler was first appointed to the state Senate in January 2012.
Val L. Peterson is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives representing District 56 and lives there with his wife,Ann. He currently serves as Vice President of Administration and Legislative Affairs at Utah Valley University.
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.
Brian E. Shiozawa is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate representing District 8 from January 1,2013 to December 11,2017.
Wayne A. Harper is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate representing District 16 since 2023. Prior to redistricting he represented District 6 starting in 2013. Harper served in the Utah House of Representatives from January 1,1997,until December 31,2012,in the District 43 seat.
Daniel W. Thatcher is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate representing District 11 since 2023. Prior to redistricting he represented District 12.
Ralph Ole Okerlund was an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate that represented District 24 from 2009 to 2020. He was the Senate's majority leader from January 28,2013,to 2020.
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.
Lincoln Fillmore is a Republican Senator for Utah State's Senate District 17 and,prior to redistricting Senate District 10. He was appointed by Governor Gary Herbert to fill a vacant seat caused by the resignation of Aaron Osmond.
Derrin R. Owens is an American politician and a Republican member of the Utah State Senate who represents Senate district 27 and previously district 24. He previously served Utah House of Representatives representing District 58 from August 10,2015 to December 31,2020.
Walt Brooks is an American politician who has served in the Utah House of Representatives from the 75th district since 2016. He was appointed in September 2016 to replace Representative Don Ipson,who himself was appointed to the senate to replace Senator Steve Urquhart.
The 161st Virginia General Assembly,consisting of members who were elected in both the House election and Senate election in 2019,convened on January 8,2020. It was the first time Democrats held both houses of the General Assembly and the governorship since the 147th General Assembly in 1993.
