Utah judge cancels hearing on trans athlete ruling in favor of written opinion

SALT LAKE CITY — Third District Court Judge Keith Kelly has canceled a hearing that was scheduled for today involving a lawsuit filed against the Utah High School Activities Association.

The hearing was scheduled to issue a ruling from the bench on a request for a preliminary injunction against a Utah law that bans transgender athletes from competing in girls’ high school sports.

In an order filed yesterday, Kelly said that a written opinion would be the best way to resolve the preliminary injunction motion. A portion of the order reads:

Having deliberated further, the Court concludes (a) that a written opinion is the best way to address the significant and complex constitutional issues raised by the preliminary injunction motion, and (b) that, while a prompt decision is important, a written opinion may take longer than 8/16/22 to complete.

The judge also set a new scheduling and case management conference call for Aug. 22 in order to establish a case schedule and set a trial date.

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Our previous coverage:

• Judge considering injunction to allow transgender girls to play girls high school sports
• Utah families file lawsuit challenging transgender ban in girls’ sports
• Lawmakers overturn Gov. Cox’s veto on transgender athlete bill, make change immediately after
• Transgender athlete ban vetoed by governor, lawmakers call special session

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Attorneys for three transgender girls have asked a judge to grant an injunction from Utah’s law governing transgender youth in school sports. The law in question bars these individuals from competing in high school sports of the gender they identify with.

The ban was passed earlier this year by the Utah legislature.

The girls could make their individual cases to play sports to the UHSAA if the injunction is granted. If the judge blocks the ban the state will activate a commission to decide, on an individual basis, if each transgender child can compete.

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