Transgender activists have inundated a Utah tip line created to report violations of a new bathroom law with thousands of hoax submissions. The law requires individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to their birth sex in government-owned buildings. The tip line, managed by Utah Auditor John Dougall, has received over 10,000 submissions since its launch, all of which appear to be fake.
The form asks people to report public school employees who allow individuals to use facilities designated for the opposite sex. Schools and agencies found in violation of the law can face fines of up to $10,000 per day.
Trans activists and community members from across the U.S. quickly spread the Utah tip line on social media, encouraging others to submit spam reports. This tactic is part of a broader effort by advocates to disrupt government tip lines that they believe promote division by encouraging residents to report on each other.
Similar incidents have occurred in other states, where tip lines were flooded with hoax reports. In Virginia, Indiana, Arizona, and Louisiana, activists targeted tip lines related to discussions on race, LGBTQ+ identities, and gender-affirming healthcare.
Despite the influx of fake reports, the sponsors of the Utah law, Rep. Kera Birkeland and Sen. Dan McCay, remain confident in the tip line's effectiveness. They view the law as crucial for protecting women and girls, citing privacy and safety concerns.
LGBTQ+ rights advocates warn that the law and tip line could lead to unwarranted scrutiny of individuals' gender in public spaces, potentially affecting non-transgender individuals as well. Earlier this year, a Utah school board member faced backlash for questioning the gender of a high school student, highlighting concerns about the law's impact on the broader community.
