Utah unveiled a complaint form that allows people to report transgender individuals using the bathroom that matches their gender identity in public schools. Many are calling it a “snitch line.”
The snitch line, named “Alleged Government Violations of Utah Code 63G Chapter 31 Distinctions on the Basis of Sex,” was established in response to the passing of a ban on transgender individuals using the bathroom in the state earlier this year. House Bill 0257, also known as “Sex-Based Designations for Privacy, Anti-Bullying, and Women’s Opportunities,” prohibits transgender individuals from using ‘privacy spaces’ like changing rooms and restrooms in public schools, as well as changing rooms in government spaces. If government entities or schools violate HB 0257, they can be fined up to $10,000 per day.
This law does not apply to private businesses such as restaurants and does not have legal regulations for transgender individuals using their preferred bathroom in government facilities specifically, as indicated by the ACLU. The law provides exceptions for transgender individuals who have changed the gender markers on their birth certificates and other legal documents. However, this exemption becomes legally complicated if the person was born in a state that prohibits such changes.
The so-called snitch form is available on a website provided by the Office of the State Auditor, and it lists violations, including transgender individuals using public school bathrooms that match their gender identity, and instances of transgender individuals being on their preferred sports teams in a governmental or educational setting.
The form consists of five questions, asking for details about government employees involved, how the respondent knows about the event, and a description of how the transgender individual used their preferred bathroom. Only the last question is mandatory, while the others are optional.
The form allows people to submit their answers anonymously by entering “anonymous” in the required contact information boxes, which has led to prank responses. Some people have reported fictional characters from the 2007 animated film The Bee Movie, false accusations against anti-trans public officials, reports about animal genitalia, and references to various memes.
The snitch line became overwhelmed with trolling, leading to problems, according to journalist Ari Drennen of Media Matters. Samantha Cole of 404 Media even engaged in trolling the form by submitting a picture of a sassy white cat sitting at a dinner table. image Twitter users found out that the database behind the form is hosted on a public Google cloud console bucket. This allows users to view all the submissions sent to the site, though without names and contact information.
Utah’s form is not the first of its kind, as there have been numerous similar forms created for social issues in the past. Last year, Missouri introduced a tip line for gender-affirming care that was shut down within a month due to trolls. Earlier this year, Indiana
introduced one that was flooded with memes. A Virginia released faced similar outcomes when they taught “critical race theory” to students. tip line State Auditor John Dougall stated
, “The Utah Office of the State Auditor is responsible for receiving reports of specific unlawful activity. Any worries or grievances regarding the related public policy and legal requirements should be directed to Utah Legislature members.” 404 MediaThe form has been inundated with troll replies, including pictures of animated characters and memes.
