Idaho Legislature moves forward with banning transgender females from sports in public schools
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Following hours of testimony and debate, one controversial transgender-related bill passed the House 52-17— despite an analysis finding it likely to be unconstitutional — while another met an early defeat Wednesday in Idaho’s Republican-dominated Legislature.
The House overwhelmingly passed a bill banning transgender females from competing in girls and women’s sports, while a bill banning gender assignment medical treatment was held by a committee chairman, effectively killing it.
Dubbed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, House Bill 500 is sponsored by Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, and Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d’Alene.
“This is about preserving opportunities for girls and women,” an impassioned Ehardt claimed during the House’s hourlong debate on the bill.
“Letting boys and men compete against girls and women” would give them an unfair advantage, take away opportunities and “shatters our dreams,” Ehardt said.
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