Opponents will file lawsuit over transgender athletics ban

Kevin Richert | 04/15/2020

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.

Lindsay Hecox, a transgender athlete and runner, testifies against House Bill 500 during a March 6 Senate committee hearing. Sami Edge/Idaho EdNews

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.

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]