
03/26/2022
Dear Salt Lake City School District families, community, and staff:
Earlier today, the legislature overturned Governor Cox’s veto of House Bill 11, which regulates the ability of our transgender students to participate in high school athletics. With today’s legislative vote, the bill creates a ban on the ability of transgender girls to participate in high school sports.
This legislation is troubling, but our reason for writing to you today is our concern for our students. This bill has implications beyond just our student athletes, and we want to make it clear to all our LGBTQIA+ students, and in particular today to our transgender students, that you are wanted, you are needed, and you have a place here in the Salt Lake City School District.
Unfortunately, this development comes on the cusp of our spring break, which means many of our students will not have access to their school counselors or other trusted teachers or administrators. Please download the SafeUT app right now to your mobile devices. This is a FREE, life-saving tool that provides 24-7 access to mental health professionals and crisis counselors. You can learn more and download the app at: https://safeut.org/
There are additional mental health and crisis resources available in Salt Lake County. You can find a longer list of these resources here.
If your student feels they could benefit from ongoing support, our district has a FREE Telehealth School-Based Therapy partnership with Odyssey House. You can learn more about that partnership and about how to sign up here.
Do not allow the actions of politicians to change the way you see yourself. Please know this does nothing to change the way WE feel about you, and we will continue to advocate for you and to support you in any way we can.
Yours sincerely,
Salt Lake City School District Board of Education
Melissa Ford (Precinct 6), President
Nate Salazar (Precinct 4), Vice President
Bryce Williams (Precinct 1)
Jenny Sika (Precinct 2)
Katherine Kennedy (Precinct 3)
Mohamed Baayd (Precinct 5)
Kristi Swett (Precinct 7)
The SafeUT app provides a way to connect to licensed counselors that are ready to listen to any sized crisis or concern. Help is immediate and confidential, and as easy as reaching for your phone and sending that first text.