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Eugene

(62,392 posts)
Sun May 5, 2024, 02:11 PM May 2024

Utah's 'snitch line' to report trans people in bathrooms backfires in spectacular fashion

Source: MSNBC

Utah’s ‘snitch line’ to report trans people in bathrooms backfires in spectacular fashion

The state auditor’s office apparently didn’t anticipate that asking the public to help enforce its anti-trans bathroom ban would result in thousands of memes and nonsense submissions.

May 4, 2024, 3:06 PM EDT
By Clarissa-Jan Lim

In an attempt to crowdsource enforcement of an anti-trans bathroom law that went into effect this week, Utah’s state auditor has rolled out an online complaint form to report trans people in bathrooms.

Released on Wednesday, the so-called hotline complaint form allows people to report alleged violations of House Bill 257, which requires individuals to use restrooms and changing rooms in government buildings that correspond with their sex assigned at birth.

The legislation has caused fear and confusion among teachers, parents and students in public schools. Under HB 257, a person found to have violated the law can be charged with criminal trespassing and could serve jail time, and a government entity can be fined up to $10,000 per day for a violation.

The complaint form has so far proven to be a bust. Several people posted screenshots to the social media platform X showing them trolling the form with memes and other nonsensical submissions. By Friday, the state auditor’s office had received nearly 4,000 complaints, Utah Auditor John Dougall told The Salt Lake Tribune —all of which appear to be fake. “We didn’t see anything that looks credible,” Dougall said. “For example, if they have my name as a complainant, you know, I’m not complaining.”

-snip-

Read more: https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/utah-anti-trans-bathroom-ban-complaint-form-troll-rcna150716

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Utah's 'snitch line' to report trans people in bathrooms backfires in spectacular fashion (Original Post) Eugene May 2024 OP
What a shame. Know what I mean? rurallib May 2024 #1
I wondered about that. SarahD May 2024 #2
Protect the girls? keithbvadu2 May 2024 #11
this. ding ding ding ding. AllaN01Bear May 2024 #23
Dennis Hastert, GOP Speaker of the House, set up an easy chair in the boys' shower room for his viewing pleasure. keithbvadu2 May 2024 #12
A Rapist "using" the wrong Restroom. 911 is in order there Traurigkeit May 2024 #18
What a waste of taxpayer dollars. And idiotic to try and enforce this stupid and ignorant law. SWBTATTReg May 2024 #3
It's a stupid, ignorant, vicious, hateful law spawned by people with those characteristics. Hermit-The-Prog May 2024 #10
Sarcasm here (not at you). These people certainly aren't showing their 'godly' attributes, eh? SWBTATTReg May 2024 #20
Hello cops, just saw a guy go into multigraincracker May 2024 #4
I remember a Borowitz Report column from a few years ago: Pinback May 2024 #15
yes indeed, monkey wrench the shit out of this nonsense.... bahboo May 2024 #5
Back when there used to be pay phones cannabis_flower May 2024 #6
😂 Duncanpup May 2024 #9
This one? usonian May 2024 #7
Did they change the wording? ShazzieB May 2024 #17
Report priests in robes and Scotsmen wearing kilts Jerry2144 May 2024 #8
If we had a Supreme Court instead of a Subversive Court, this law would be struck down. Hermit-The-Prog May 2024 #13
So, apparently odins folly May 2024 #14
I don't get this anti-trans bigotry.... AZ8theist May 2024 #16
I dont use a stall FreeState May 2024 #21
Did I say Utah? My bad... AZ8theist May 2024 #22
I love this Skittles May 2024 #19
I've lost count of how many times I've posted this: Kalifornia9 May 2024 #24
 

SarahD

(1,732 posts)
2. I wondered about that.
Sun May 5, 2024, 02:25 PM
May 2024

It would be fun to call in and report Donald Trump using the women's bathroom.

keithbvadu2

(38,927 posts)
12. Dennis Hastert, GOP Speaker of the House, set up an easy chair in the boys' shower room for his viewing pleasure.
Sun May 5, 2024, 04:22 PM
May 2024

Same sex.

SWBTATTReg

(23,443 posts)
20. Sarcasm here (not at you). These people certainly aren't showing their 'godly' attributes, eh?
Mon May 6, 2024, 01:39 PM
May 2024

The hate never stops, eh?

Pinback

(12,606 posts)
15. I remember a Borowitz Report column from a few years ago:
Sun May 5, 2024, 04:39 PM
May 2024

”Mike Pence Horrified To Find Unisex Toilet In His Own House!”

cannabis_flower

(3,808 posts)
6. Back when there used to be pay phones
Sun May 5, 2024, 03:07 PM
May 2024

I used to call 1-800-BAD-WEED and report nonexistent marijuana grows. I would also call and argue with them to waste their time.

I wonder if that number is still in service? I wouldn’t do it now because I don’t know where a pay phone is. I’m not sure if it could be a crime. And it was long enough ago that I’m sure the statute of limitations has run out.

ShazzieB

(17,847 posts)
17. Did they change the wording?
Sun May 5, 2024, 04:57 PM
May 2024

This site says the following:

The State Auditor’s authority is limited to assessing a government entity’s compliance with the Code. The State Auditor does not review or make any determination on the actions of private individuals, nor does the State Auditor investigate or determine an individual’s sex or gender.


Did they give up on prosecuting private individuals for using the "wrong" bathroom?

Either way, Utah, your stupid transphobic law is still a stupid transphobic mess, and you should be ashamed of your stupid transphobic self!

Jerry2144

(2,382 posts)
8. Report priests in robes and Scotsmen wearing kilts
Sun May 5, 2024, 03:48 PM
May 2024

And other similar ceremonial clothing that doesn’t fit the Mormon (I keep wanting to delete the second M) stereotype for gendered clothing.

Maybe babies in baptismal gowns?

AZ8theist

(6,053 posts)
16. I don't get this anti-trans bigotry....
Sun May 5, 2024, 04:53 PM
May 2024

Last edited Tue May 7, 2024, 10:00 PM - Edit history (1)

I mean, doesn't everyone use a stall? How would ANYBODY know if a person was trans?
I'm an old white male and I use the stall exclusively for privacy.
The only pervert I ever saw looking into stalls was the odious, self-hating homosexual Idaho Senator, Larry Craig.

Anti-trans bigotry is just stupid. The bigots and haters are all gassed up over something that has ZERO effect on their own lives.

FreeState

(10,654 posts)
21. I dont use a stall
Tue May 7, 2024, 06:23 PM
May 2024

Im not trans, but I only use a stall if I need to sit. Part of the male experience is using a urinal, I would not fault anyone that identifies as male for using one.

Also Larry Craig is from Idaho not Utah.

AZ8theist

(6,053 posts)
22. Did I say Utah? My bad...
Tue May 7, 2024, 10:00 PM
May 2024

I knew he was from Idaho. Don't know why I typed in Utah.......

And yes, being male one uses a urinal. However, you will find that when getting up in years, it's more comfortable to sit and rest your knees and use a stall for your business. I don't blame anyone for either. But even using a urinal, only a perv would be checking the next door user.........

Kalifornia9

(44 posts)
24. I've lost count of how many times I've posted this:
Thu May 9, 2024, 07:25 PM
May 2024

In response to fearmongering idiots about this faux "issue":
"Guess what, Herbert, there are trans have used the same restroom as you and you never had the slightest clue it happened. If this is your idea of a scourge of our times occupying your thoughts and energy, go look in the mirror at an idiotic fool."

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