The Beehive State has surprised the nation more than a few times – Salt Lake City ranks as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the country, and we elected our first female state senator in 1896 – but we still have a long way to go. Utah ranks 47th in the nation the percentage of women in elected office. Our hate crime laws are vague and ineffective; recent efforts to strengthen the language have been only weakly supported. Local government officials have openly refused to retract racist statements.
Every Utahn deserves to lead a safe and productive life, regardless of their gender, sexual identity, or the color of their skin.
Utah bill would impose a pre-abortion ultrasound requirement
This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. Women in Utah would have to undergo an ultrasound as a prerequisite to an abortion under a bill unveiled Wednesday in the Legislature.Moreover, the physician or technician performing the ultrasound would have to describe “the presence and location of each unborn child in the uterus,” display …
Utah Senate votes to require burial or cremation of fetal remains
This article originally appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune. Read it in its entirety here. Members of the Utah Senate gave an early vote of support on Monday to a bill that requires health care providers to either bury or cremate the remains of an abortion or miscarriage. Bill sponsor Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, said the bill is meant to ensure that …
Constructive tension
Here we are again–another Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A day for Americans to share his quotes on social media; a day off of work for those who work in certain industries; a day to rest. And yes, for many people, it’s a day to remember long enough to post …
Press Release: Better Utah responds to ERA ratification bill
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT – Today, Representative Karen Kwan announced her intent to run a bill in the coming 2020 General Legislative Session that would make Utah the 38th state to ratify the ERA. As the 38th state to ratify, Utah would be …
Doing our part during the holidays
Happy Holidays! I hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving day with minimal family drama, plenty of great food, and a moment to reflect on the historical, cultural and political meaning of this holiday. As a U.S. born citizen, the Thanksgiving holiday has been embedded in my traditions as a day …
Press Release: Better Utah responds to tax reform draft
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT – Today, the Tax Restructuring and Equalization Tax Force released the over 100-page draft of the much-anticipated tax reform bill. The tax proposal includes restoration of the full sales tax on food, lowers the income tax rate, and proposes …
Victims of Communism Day is no way to counter disenchantment with capitalism
If you weren’t even aware today is Victims of Communism Day in Utah, you’re likely not alone. Nothing other than rhetoric is planned, apparently, for the day mandated by a new Utah law. That’s because Victims of Communism Day is little more than a political volley, a manifestation of the …
Reclaiming “witch”
“Show me your witches, and I’ll show you your feelings about women.” -Pam Grossman, on society’s use of the term “witch”. Being a feminist with a support system has its perks. For example, all my friends enthusiastically affirm my decision not to have children and I never face a moral …