BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Governor Brad Little has added something new to the Title IX debate happening in the Gem state.
Wednesday, Aug. 28, Gov. Little signed the Defending Women's Sports Act Executive Order opposing Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ athletes.
"I will sign a new executive order directing the Idaho State Department of Education to first ensure that all Idaho public schools are following all of Idaho's laws related to fairness in women's sports and continue to update all public schools as the legal challenges to the new Title IX challenges unfold,” Gov. Little said at the press conference Wednesday.
In 2022, the Biden-Harris administration was the one to propose expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students.
Student-athletes and supporters joined Gov. Little as he signed the executive order on the steps of the State Capitol alongside advocate Riley Gaines and 33rd District House of Representative member Barbara Ehardt.
Title IX laws are designed to protect people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal money.
Gov. Little added a second part to the executive order calling on the Idaho State Board of Education stating the need to, “guarantee every female student-athlete in Idaho is provided an equal opportunity in sports and school to the fullest extent as guaranteed by the original Title IX rule and Idaho Law."
The executive order reaffirms laws already on the books in Idaho, including those defining sex as male or female, barring public funds for gender-affirming care, and ensuring fairness in women's sports.
Female sports advocate Riley Gaines also spoke in support of the new executive order.
“I am thrilled to be here today, with these legislatures, with Gov. Little, to say that Idaho will not comply,” Gaines said. “There have been few states, very few leaders, who are willing to take this decisive action, forceful action which blows my mind. To me, this is common sense. This isn’t meant to be partisan; this isn’t meant to be discriminatory toward anyone. This isn’t a message that is anti-anything. This message is pro-fairness.”
A group of Idaho student-athletes stood alongside Gaines, the Governor and House Representative member Barbara Ehardt.
Ehardt expressed gratitude for support from young student-athletes in the community, stating, "It means a lot. It means they're awaking to the fact that there are opportunities that, if they don't stand up for it too, will be gone."
But, not everyone agreed with the executive order.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) gave an official statement to KTVB opposing Gov. Little’s executive order:
"Title IX protects all students from sex discrimination, including transgender students. When our state government attempts to sidestep antidiscrimination laws through executive orders and injunctions, it creates unnecessary discrimination and harm for transgender women and girls. In the context of playing sports, it can subject them to invasive inspections to verify their anatomy that violate their privacy and put their safety at risk.
"The State of Idaho has been engaged in a relentless attempt to erase transgender people from public life and to strip transgender women and girls of their rights and opportunities. Whether the state is trying to ban transgender women and girls from playing on sports teams, denying them access to health care, or prohibiting them from using the names and pronouns that affirm their gender identity, such government action is contrary to our values of dignity, equality, and safety for women and girls. The ACLU of Idaho will not let these civil liberties violations — using taxpayer money, no less — go unchallenged.”