LGBT youth

Alison’s family in the backyard of her mother’s house on Sept. 28, 2023. From left to right: Ben Jeffs, Alison’s stepfather; Sage Jones, Alison’s older brother; Jessica Jeffs, Alison’s mother; Alison Sirivanchai; Jesse Sirivanchai, Alison’s father.

Education

Meet the transgender 11-year-old at the center of a debate in the Jordan School District

Martha Harris

A recent school board meeting in the Jordan School District got heated when the topic of transgender students using bathrooms was brought up.

Andrew, who is identified by a pseudonym to protect his identity, May 24, 2023, was referred to Scott Owen in 2015 for same sex attraction therapy after returning from a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Andrew said Owen sexually abused him during a five-month period under the guise of therapy. He reported the therapist to state licensors in 2016, who took little disciplinary action. Owen continued working as a mental health counselor for two more years until he gave up his license after other men came forward to the Division of Professional Licensing alleging similar misconduct.

Race, Religion & Social Justice

His ‘miracle’ turned into trauma when a gay Utah man entered therapy

Elaine Clark

The Salt Lake Tribune and the investigative newsroom ProPublica are partnering to report on sexual assault by health care professionals in Utah. The story of one therapist who worked with gay Latter-day Saint men shines light on what reporter Jessica Miller calls a “flawed and misleading system” for reporting abuse.

The Utah State Capitol building in Salt Lake City, Jan. 11, 2023.

Politics & Government

Here’s what Utah Sen. Todd Weiler’s bill on gender identity in schools actually does

Saige Miller

The Republican state senator believes parental rights trump a student’s right to privacy.

A display showing the top banned or challenged books in Utah, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022.

Education

Utah authors, librarians and teachers call for more open minds rather than more banned books

Martha Harris

Last week, the American Library Association reported that the number of attempts in 2022 to ban or restrict library resources is on track to beat the previous year’s record. Utah librarians, authors, and educators say they’re seeing that trend in Utah and want to put a stop to it.

A 12-year-old transgender swimmer waits by a pool on Feb. 22, 2021, in Utah. The state is asking a judge to dismiss a legal challenge to its ban on transgender kids who want to compete in youth sports. Utah's attorneys argued in July 2022 that two unnamed transgender girls lack standing to challenge the law in court, in part because they haven't been harmed by it.

Race, Religion & Social Justice

What to know as Utah moves ahead with its transgender sports eligibility commission

Sean Higgins

Utah’s “School Activity Eligibility Commission” could start hearing cases soon.

Republican Rep. Kera Birkeland is the representative for District 53 in the Utah House.

Race, Religion & Social Justice

Rep. Birkeland’s letter on trans students confused district officials and irked advocates

Jon Reed

Rep. Kera Birkeland sent the letter on House of Representatives letterhead. LGBTQ supporters accused her of escalating a culture war issue.

A young woman with a megaphone speaks to a crowd of students. Light snow covers mountains in the background.

News Briefs

AM Brief: Park City student walkout, monitoring kids' social media & Isom on primary ballot

KUER News

The latest Utah news for Friday morning, April 1, 2022

Photo of students holding signs and waving flags outside the church headquarters

News Briefs

AM Brief: More LDS support for LGBTQ rights, SLC closes pay gap & new law boosts per pupil spending

KUER News

The latest Utah news for Friday morning, March 25, 2022

News

Provo Youth LGBTQ Resource Center Expanding To SLC

Erik Neumann

Encircle, the nonprofit that serves LGBTQ youth in Provo, is opening a new site in Salt Lake City.Stephanie Larson is Encircle’s executive director. She…

Race, Religion & Social Justice

Mormon LGBT Allies Wear Rainbow Ribbons to Church

Andrea Smardon

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched the Rainbow Mormon Initiative on Sunday.LDS Member Jen Blair came down from Twin Falls…

Race, Religion & Social Justice

Rainbow Mormon Initiative Launches Sunday

Andrea Smardon

On Sunday, a group of Mormons will be wearing rainbow ribbons to church to show support for their LGBT brothers and sisters.It’s called the Rainbow Mormon…

News

Project Aims to Prevent LGBT Youth Suicide in Provo

Andrea Smardon

In response to high rates of suicide attempts for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth within the LDS community, a new pilot program is launching…