Anti-DEI law forces closure of University of Utah LGBT center

News comes amid anti-diversity legislation that has gutted inclusionary programs at several public universities

After 21 years of service, the University of Utah's LGBT Resource Center will close on Friday, as the second-largest public university in the state comes into compliance with HB 261, Utah's version of the anti-DEI legislation that has swept the country and gutted inclusionary programs at several public universities.

As we've evaluated how best to comply with the legislation, I want to be clear that we've faced very difficult decisions," the vice-president for student affairs, Lori McDonald, said in a statement. The law and subsequent guidance require a foundational change in how we approach student support, and we will follow the law. This isn't about changing the words we use; we're changing how we approach the work."