USU students rally against homophobia and transphobia
A march against homophobia and transphobia started at the Block A just outside of Old Main on April 8.
The peaceful march was organized by Utah State University’s Queer Student Alliance and all were invited to attend, including students, faculty and community members.
Cole Lancaster, a USU student involved in organizing the march, said it was organized to support all marginalized identities on campus.
“We’re holding an event to break silence and fight against some new anti-transgender legislation that was just passed,” Lancaster said.
The specific legislation Lancaster referred to is Utah’s HB 11 and HB 127.
The general description of HB 11 states the bill “addresses student-athlete participation in gender-designated sports in the public education system.”
The controversial bill was recently passed following a veto override and is set to take effect on July 1.
HB 127 “prohibits a physician or surgeon from performing a transgender procedure on a minor.” This bill has not yet been passed.
Claire Hansen, a sophomore at USU who attended the march, said these bills impact her fellow students.
“It’s really important that we make sure that all students feel accepted and included on campus. These bills are doing the exact opposite,” Hansen said.
Hansen also encouraged her fellow students to sign the petition, contact their representatives and express opposition to the bill.
“Day of Silence March” participants pose for a picture in front of Old Main.
Lancaster also emphasized the goals of the march on a larger scale.
“We’re going to be heard,” Lancaster said. “You can’t silence us anymore, we’ve got to break the stigma surrounding gender and sexuality.
Lancaster also said this is only a small step towards great things that are going to happen.
The march organized at USU was not the first organized in response to the controversial bills. A larger rally was held at the Utah State Capitol in February.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, more than a dozen speakers spoke to those in attendance at that rally.
“This is something that’s so hateful and so awful that it could definitely cause — well, I know it’s going to cause — an up-spike in depression and suicide within the trans community, especially children,” event organizer Mina Sadoon told The Salt Lake Tribune following the protest.
Despite the controversy, there is no current plan to halt the passing of HB 127 or enforcement of HB 11.
-Jared.Adams@usu.edu
Photos by: Katie Henderson
You people are so tribal, you don’t even know that this bill that was put into effect was added to protect children from extremist minority groups who quite literally want to exploit children to further their own agenda. You can rail against “phobic” groups all you want, but don’t blind yourself so completely with activism, that you deliberately make children “necessary casualties” for your war on supposed injustices.