Mayor Wilson calls for rejection of two bills passed by Utah House

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson issued a statement concerning two bills introduced this legislative session, both of which the Utah House passed. 

Rep. Katy Hall, R-Davis/Weber, is the sponsor of HB261, a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs (DEI), from government institutions. KSL.com reported that during a hearing on Jan. 19, Hall said the focus of the bill is to get rid of barriers for all Utah students and prevent discrimination. 

The other bill is HB257, sponsored by Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan. This bill would require individuals to use the restroom that corresponds to the gender on their birth certificate, when in government buildings.

According to KSL.com, Birkeland introduced the bill after constituents told her they have felt threatened or violated by people who identify as transgender.

Wilson said in her statement she is hopeful the Utah State Legislature will reject both bills due to the message they send. 

“These bills only serve to divide us when what we should be doing is making sure everyone feels like they belong in Utah,” her statement read.

“That’s the message we want to send as we are to be awarded the 2034 Olympic Games and continue to take pride in the strength of our economy largely due to individual and business expansion — not to mention our robust visitor economy.”

Related reading:

• Bill to replace DEI offices at Utah’s government, schools passes House
• Utah bill targeting bathroom use and gender passed by Utah House