Equality Utah's GOP endorsements are under fire

Equality Utah's GOP endorsements are under fire

Equality Utah's midterm endorsements have drawn criticism over their support for GOP candidates rather than LGBTQ+ Democrats.

Why it matters: It's the latest in what critics describe as a pattern of capitulation by the most visible LGBTQ+ rights group in the state.

Driving the news: Equality Utah endorsed Republicans this week in potentially competitive races for the Salt Lake County Council, the state House and state school board.

  • "LGBTQ identity alone does not determine an endorsement," Equality Utah wrote in a statement, saying the decision weighs strategic impact and "ability to build bridges."

    • Zoom in: The county council endorsement is drawing particular scrutiny because the Democrat, Luke Maynes, is part of the LGBTQ+ community.

  • The Republican, Mike Bird, served in state GOP party leadership and ran to be its chair.

    • Zoom out: In multiple Davis and Utah county races with LGBTQ+ candidates, Equality Utah made no endorsement.

  • Meanwhile, in House District 27, Republican State Sen. Anthony Loubet received an endorsement despite voting in favor of a 2025 law that forced trans students at public universities into dorms based on their assigned gender at birth.

    • What they're saying: "Queer representation in Utah politics doesn't happen by accident," a coalition of Utah Democrats wrote in a statement arguing that Equality Utah has an obligation "to back candidates who reflect their community, especially when those candidates have a real shot at winning."

    Friction point: Equality Utah's brand of political bridge-building has generated skepticism as a strategy in recent years, as multiple GOP-backed anti-trans laws passed in Utah and Republican support for marriage equality has declined.

  • "There was a time when playing respectability politics helped to further our community in the state by building relationships across the aisle," LGBTQ+ teacher and activist Chelsie Joy Acosta wrote on Instagram. "At this point you are either all in for our community or you are no longer trusted."

    • The big picture: Equality Utah has long been at the center of debates over whether to fight for progressive ideals that may not pan out in a deep red state — or reach out to opponents in pursuit of the least-bad outcome.

    Catch up quick: In 2023, the group opposed protesters who called on Southern Utah University to cancel a commencement speech by a Latter-Day Saint leader who had made inflammatory anti-LGBTQ+ comments.

  • In 2018, it was criticized for attending a Chick-Fil-A grand opening in Riverton, saying, "When we presume people are our adversaries we miss out on the chance to win new allies."
  • Its previous GOP endorsements also drew complaints.

    • Flashback: The group was behind the "Utah Compromise" of 2015, which won some LGBTQ+ legal protections in exchange for religious exceptions.

  • Gov. Spencer Cox still celebrates the legislation as a "win-win" victory of political centrism; LGBTQ+ critics called it a "Trojan horse."