As expected, the debate over a new transgender athletics ban is headed to court.
ACLU Idaho and a feminist organization, Legal Voice, will file the lawsuit today, Idaho News 6 reported.
The lawsuit comes 16 days after Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 500 into law. The law will ban transgender girls and women from playing in girls’ and women’s sports. Supporters dubbed the proposal the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, sand said transgender athletes have inherent physical advantages over female athletes.
The bill passed both houses nearly along party lines, with only a handful of Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Despite lobbying from opponents — including a bipartisan letter from five former state attorneys general — Little signed the bill on March 30.
The lawsuit comes as no surprise. During committee hearings — which drew emotional testimony from supporters and opponents alike — ACLU Idaho said HB 500 was legally flawed, and pledged to file a lawsuit.
The plaintiffs are filing their lawsuit on behalf of Lindsay Hecox, a transgender student at Boise State University, Idaho News 6 reported. Hecox, an aspiring track athlete, testified against HB 500 this session.
