Idaho governor bans transgender athletes from girls sports for fairness

Idaho Governor Brad Little issued an executive order on Wednesday to enforce the Defending Women's Sports Act, aiming to prevent biological men from competing in women's sports. This action is part of a broader national movement responding to proposed changes to Title IX by the Biden-Harris administration. Little expressed the possibility of schools conducting gender eligibility tests for athletes, contingent on sufficient evidence of necessity. He referenced the case of Riley Gaines, a swimmer who shared experiences of competing against a biological male, highlighting public concerns about fairness in women's sports. The Supreme Court recently voted to reject an emergency request from the Biden administration regarding protections for women's sports, with a notable dissent from Justice Neil Gorsuch. Little emphasized the importance of protecting Title IX and women's athletics from perceived unfair competition. He acknowledged the potential challenges his state may face in maintaining these protections, especially if Kamala Harris were to win the upcoming presidential election. Despite the Biden administration's claims that its Title IX changes do not affect athletic eligibility, experts have indicated that these revisions could allow biological men to compete in women's sports. Little remains confident in Idaho's stance and is prepared to take legal and legislative actions to safeguard women's sports. Looking ahead, Little hopes that a potential Trump victory would prompt a reevaluation of the current administration's Title IX changes. He is committed to defending the rights and advancements of women athletes in Idaho, asserting that the state will actively pursue measures to uphold fairness in sports.