Idaho legislates to prevent trans-gender persons from competing in women’s sports and from altering sex marker on birth certificates

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Idaho has legislated that women’s sports are for females only and that trans-gender identifying persons may not alter the sex-marker on their birth-certificates. The first in the US to set down such measures, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” and the “Vital Statistics Act” into law on March 30.

The Vital Statistics Act provides that a person’s biological sex must be recorded on birth certificates and other identifying documents. The legislation was enacted even after a similar bill was struck down by a federal court in 2018.

In a statement about the legislation, its sponsor, Republican Rep. Julianne Young, said: “safeguarding the accuracy of our vital records is a vital part of preserving the ability of the state to protect the public health and safety.” Expressing opposition in her own statement, Democrat Rep. Lauren Necochea said: “I am disgusted and disappointed that Governor Little has decided to waste valuable taxpayer money to fight court battles over issues that are not a priority to Idahoans.” Opponents have warned state officials may be held in contempt of a federal court ruling and the matter may be taken to the Supreme Court.

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act prohibits men who identify as women from participating in state-funded sports. It also provides that high school-aged girls must prove their biological sex through a physical exam or DNA or hormonal testing.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) opposed the law, saying the mandated gender checks would be invasive. ACLU had stated they would be ready to sue if the proposed bill became law. In support of the measure, Beth Stelzer, founder of the nonpartisan Save Women’s Sports, told The Christian Post:  “I believe this is the start of our government turning in favour of the truth; there are two sexes, they are immutable, and biological sex cannot be conflated with ‘gender identity.'” 

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