On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) and the LGBT and Allied Lawyers of Utah (LALU) co-hosted a CLE event on Legal Issues & Effective Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Clients. The session, held at the Utah Law and Justice Center, brought together attorneys and advocates from across Utah. Presented by Chris Wharton and Jess Couser, the program offered practical guidance, ethical insights, and an in-depth review of key statutes and landmark cases affecting LGBTQ+ clients in Utah. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the presenters, ask questions, and gain strategies to better support LGBTQ+ individuals and families in legal settings.
Utah has a dynamic LGBTQ+ population. Roughly 3.7% of adults identify as LGBTQ+, and Salt Lake City has the state’s densest concentration at 5-6%. Approximately 40% of Utah’s LGBTQ+ individuals are raising children, compared to about 30% nationally, and Utah ranks #1 in the nation per capita for same-sex couples raising children. Nationwide, Utah ranks in the middle among states by LGBTQ+ population. These statistics underscore the importance of equitable legal protections for LGBTQ+ families.
Wharton and Couser emphasized Utah Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(d), which prohibits lawyers from engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. Attorneys and legal staff were given actionable guidance, and the session also reviewed landmark cases and statutes shaping LGBTQ+ rights in Utah and nationwide. Families come in many forms, yet outdated laws continue to create unnecessary burdens for LGBTQ+ families, particularly regarding parentage, surrogacy, adoption, and gender identity. The CLE session reviewed some of these and advised attorneys on how to best advocate for their clients.
Despite legal advancements, LGBTQ+ individuals face ongoing challenges. The presenters discussed everyday barriers, costs, discrimination, and restrictive laws, affect LGBTQ+ families’ ability to access justice, healthcare, and social services. Legal professionals must navigate these challenges carefully to advocate effectively and ethically. Protecting the legal rights of LGBTQ+ families ensures all children have the security, stability, and support they deserve.
Organizations such as the Utah Pride Center, Equality Utah, Encircle, Mama Dragons, Rebirth OB/GYN Health Center, and Rainbow Law Clinic provide essential support, legal guidance, and community connections for LGBTQ+ clients. Engaging with these organizations equips attorneys with insight into the lived experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ families.
UCLI extends gratitude to presenters Chris Wharton and Jess Couser for their insightful presentation, as well as all attendees, partners, and sponsors who made this event possible, including the B. W. Bastian Foundation.. Special thanks to those who participated and for this wonderful educational session. The event highlighted the importance of a respectful and ethically sound legal advocacy in Utah.
Eli McCann, current president of LGBT and Allied Lawyers of Utah (LALU), introduces the event.
Jess Couser and Chris Wharton present on the topic of legal issues and effective advocacy for LGBTQ+ clients.
