As the Utah Legislature reconvenes for its 2026 session, LGBTQ+ advocates are bracing for what could be another contentious year of legislative battles. Chief among their concerns is House Bill 183 (HB183), which has been labeled one of the most damaging pieces of legislation targeting transgender individuals in recent years. Marina Lowe, the policy director for Equality Utah, the state's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, described the bill as "the most harmful and outrageous piece of legislation I have seen in a long time." Sponsored by Representative Trevor Lee, a Republican from Layton, HB183 aims to make sweeping changes to existing laws that protect and recognize transgender individuals. If passed, the bill would replace the term "gender" with "sex" in various state laws, including anti-discrimination protections related to housing, employment, and the treatment of crime victims. Furthermore, it proposes to ban any changes to the sex designation on birth certificates, requiring state agencies to refer exclusively to "biological sex" in administrative matters. One particularly controversial aspect of the bill is its provision that would prohibit school districts and certain licensed providers from employing transgender individuals in roles that involve interaction with children. This could significantly limit job opportunities for transgender people within schools and associated organizations, effectively excluding them from many positions. In child custody cases, the bill would instruct courts to view a parent's lack of support for a transgender child's gender identity as a factor favoring the non-supportive parent in custody determinations. This provision raises significant concerns about the welfare of transgender youth and the rights of their parents. Additionally, HB183 seeks to remove "gender identity" from a provision that currently allows the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles to deny personalized license plates that disparage various groups, including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Lowe argues that HB183 would essentially "green light" discrimination against the transgender community, stripping away essential protections in employment and housing. She noted that the bill undermines parental rights in ways that adversely affect transgender youth and creates an environment where discrimination is state-sanctioned. In an interview, Representative Trevor Lee defended his bill, stating that its purpose is to clarify the definitions of gender and sex. "There is no such thing as gender, it’s a made-up word and term. It’s actually just two sexes, male and female," Lee asserted. He further criticized the ability to change birth certificates, labeling it as "confusing" for children. Lowe responded to Lee's comments by suggesting that the bill represents a significant regression in the progress made over the past decade regarding LGBTQ+ rights in Utah. She emphasized that HB183 would dismantle the protections established under the 2015 "Utah Compromise," which had aimed to balance LGBTQ+ protections with religious freedoms. Senate President Stuart Adams, one of the original sponsors of the Utah Compromise, expressed hesitation about changes to the existing anti-discrimination code. He noted that the law was crafted with careful consideration and that any modifications could disrupt the balance achieved in protecting both LGBTQ+ rights and religious freedoms. Adams stated, "There were a lot of commitments made, and it was artfully crafted and balanced. I would be very, very hesitant to try and undo that balance." With the introduction of HB183, advocates are concerned that it may pave the way for other anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Other bills targeting transgender rights have been proposed, including measures to ban public funding for transgender-affirming medical care and to restrict drag shows in public spaces. The 2026 legislative session is particularly significant as it falls in an election year, with numerous Senate and House seats up for grabs. The potential implications of these bills could resonate beyond the immediate effects on the LGBTQ+ community, influencing broader societal attitudes and legislative approaches in Utah and beyond. As the session begins, LGBTQ+ advocates are urging lawmakers to consider the impact of such legislation on vulnerable communities. Lowe articulated the emotional toll these repeated legislative attacks take on transgender individuals and their families, emphasizing the need for support rather than additional discrimination. As the Utah Legislature prepares to debate HB183 and other related bills, the eyes of the state—and perhaps the nation—will be on Capitol Hill to see how these critical issues unfold. Advocates are hopeful that lawmakers will reconsider their approach to transgender rights and make decisions that foster inclusivity rather than division.