Utah-Based, National Ties
Location:
Category:
Anti - Liberties
Status:
Active
Background
Utah Parents United (UPU) is a 501(c)(4) “social welfare” nonprofit that emerged in response to pandemic-era school mandates, particularly opposing the statewide school mask mandate and school closures. The group has since broadened its mission to advocate for "parental rights" in education, targeting issues such as critical race theory (CRT), comprehensive sex education, and LGBTQ+ topics in school curricula.
UPU has established itself as a strong conservative voice in Utah, working closely with legislators to influence state education policies and promote traditional family values. The group’s aggressive stance has created significant friction with local school boards, educators, and more progressive community members.
UPU has an affiliated political action committee, Utah Parents in Action. Its affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit is Empowered Parents, which provides courses and educational resources, primarily on alternative education settings.
Ideology
Utah Parents United holds conservative positions on education and parental rights, including the following:
Anti-Woke: The group strongly opposes teaching about race in any form, gender identity, sexuality, and sex in schools, claiming these topics promote a progressive agenda that undermine family values.
Book Banning: UPU has promoted and testified in support of banning books from school libraries and curriculum.
Parental Rights: They advocate for parents' complete authority to make decisions about their children’s healthcare as it relates to public education, particularly opposing mask and vaccine mandates in schools.
“Traditional” Values: UPU promotes what they describe as “traditional” values in education and opposes any curriculum they see as undermining these principles
Utah Parents United
Tactics
Utah Parents United employs several strategies to further their mission:
Legislative lobbying: The group actively lobbies Utah legislators to pass bills limiting the teaching of CRT, removing LGBTQ+ inclusive materials, and restricting book access in schools.
Protests and grassroots mobilization: UPU has organized protests and disrupted school board meetings, opposing policies they view as overreach.
Endorsement of conservative candidates: UPU endorses and supports local politicians who align with their vision of parental rights
During the 2022 midterms, Utah Parents in Action, UPU’s affiliated PAC, spent a little over $2,500 dollars on social media advertising related to the election, presumably in school board races.
Utah Connections
The following individuals are leaders of Utah Parents United:
Corrine Johnson, President
Brooke Stephens, Curriculum Director
Utah Parents in Action, UPU’s affiliated PAC, is run by:
Nicole Mason
Korrin Dickson
Lindsay Hull