Gay activist sues Equality Utah and its executive director

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — An openly gay political activist, lawyer and former Republican candidate for public office has filed a lawsuit against Utah’s largest LGBTQ lobbying organization and its executive director, Troy Williams.

Goud Maragani claims he was fired from his position as head of legal, compliance and litigation at Lucid Software after Williams sent a series of “false and defamatory” emails to the company’s chief human resources officer.

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The lawsuit includes excerpts from messages — allegedly from Williams — in which he, among other things, complained about Maragani’s “bizarre and disturbing obsession” with Equality Utah, accused Maragani of “extremely transphobic rhetoric” and claimed Maragani was trying to “demonize transgender people … as a threat to children.”

According to the records, Williams sent two emails to Lucid regarding Maragani on Aug. 1, 2023, then another on Aug. 7 and another on Sept. 26. On Oct. 10, 2023, the lawsuit states that Maragani was “(allegedly) terminated for performance.”

The America First Legal Foundation represents Maragani, a group that includes former members of the Trump administration.

It was argued that Maragani’s activism was focused on politics and kept it separate from his work.

“Mr. Maragani objects to Equality Utah’s promotion of its policy positions on transgender issues in Utah, which include the policy of gender reassigning children, allowing biological boys to play female sports, and allowing biological boys/men to use girls’/women’s restrooms and locker rooms,” the lawsuit reads. “This objection is based on his political beliefs and Christian religious beliefs.”

2News reached out to Maragani and Williams for comment. Maragani said he would need permission from his attorneys to make statements. Williams said he and Equality Utah are “not yet” issuing a response to the lawsuit.

In an email sent to Lucid on Sept. 26, 2023 — after layoffs at a major company occurred the day before — Williams said Maragani “perpetuates the disgusting and abhorrent lie that transgender people seduce children” and that such “rhetoric endangers” human lives.

“I am not asking you to fire him,” Williams wrote. “I am simply informing you of his current activities.”

But the lawsuit said Williams’ emails had a devastating impact.

“The actions of Mr. Williams and Equality Utah were negligent, malicious, willful, and reckless, and demonstrated a willful disregard for Mr. Maragani’s constitutional and statutory employment rights to free speech,” the lawsuit said, further noting “loss of employment, harm to his ability to practice his profession, embarrassment, humiliation, and emotional distress.”

Lucid Software, which says it helps people “visualize, plan and grow” businesses and is not named as a defendant, may have close ties to Equality Utah.

A speaker from Equality Utah was scheduled to address Lucid employees, and Williams expressed concern that the individual might be the victim of an “attack” by Maragani.

According to the lawsuit, Maragani was ordered by two company executives “not to post about Equality Utah on social media.”

2News sent questions to Lucid’s PR office:

• Did Lucid terminate Maragani’s contract due to complaints from Troy Williams and/or Equality Utah?
• Does Lucid prohibit employees from posting on social media about certain topics?
• Has Lucid been presented with a claim for unfair dismissal against Maragani?

2News said it understands the investigation is about personnel matters and ongoing legal proceedings, but would appreciate any response from the company.

As of 3pm on Friday there was no response.

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