Utah
Relationship Recognition Information
| no | Licenses marriages for same-sex couples. |
| no | Honors marriages of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions. |
| no | Relationship recognition for same-sex couples: None. |
- 2004 The state’s Constitution was amended to say:
“(1) Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman. (2) No other domestic status or union, however denominated, between persons is valid or recognized or may be authorized, sanctioned, or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect as a marriage.” See Utah Constitution, Article 1, § 29. - 1995 Utah prohibits marriage between same-sex couples by statute. See Utah Code §§ 30-1-2.5 and 30-1-4.1.
Employment Information
| no | Private employment protections based on sexual orientation. |
| no | Private employment protections based on gender identity. |
| no | Public (state) employment protections based on sexual orientation. |
| - | Public (state) employment protections based on gender identity. |
See Utah Code Ann. § 34A-5-106 (2002) and Utah Code Ann. § 57-21-5 (2002).
Parenting Information
| Who May Adopt | Any adult. But “a child may not be adopted by a person who is cohabiting in a relationship that is not a legally valid and binding marriage under the laws of this state.” Utah Code § 78-30-1(3)(b), (enacted in 2000) |
|---|---|
| Second Parent Adoptions | Not yet permitted. |
| Notes | Joint adoption not permitted under 2000 enactment, which also extends to foster care placements. State’s agencies have a history of resistance to adoption by lesbians and gay men. |
Cases
East High Gay Straight Alliance v. Board of Education of Salt Lake City School District
Case defending a GSA's right to exist in a Salt
Etsitty v. Utah Transit Authority
(Amicus) Case arguing that a customer's prejudices are not grounds to terminate transgender employees because of their appearance
