(DailyAnswer.org) – Idaho’s Governor Brad Little is ready to go to court if necessary to defend his state’s stance on restricting transgender participation in women’s sports. In a recent interview, he emphasized that Idaho will push back against any federal interference from a potential Harris administration in enforcing Idaho’s Defending Women’s Sports Act. This law, passed to limit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, could face federal opposition, but Little says he’s prepared to fight it. “If we need to take legal action, we will,” Little stated, referring to possible lawsuits by Idaho’s Attorney General, Raúl R. Labrador, should federal authorities try to override Idaho’s law. Little mentioned he expects similar actions from other states with like-minded governors and attorneys general. Together, they’d form a coalition, he noted, to ensure their collective stance has the strength and “standing” to succeed in court.
This issue could become a flashpoint under a Harris administration. While Harris has largely avoided direct statements about transgender athletes in her campaign, her support for broad federal protections in sports for transgender individuals is clear. Recently, the Biden-Harris administration revised Title IX, leading to new policies that could enable transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports and share facilities, like locker rooms, with women and girls. Little and other conservative leaders fear this shift undermines fair competition in women’s sports.
Harris’s support of the Equality Act and similar measures has also drawn criticism from conservatives who argue that such policies would erode protections for female athletes. The bill would require schools to allow athletes to compete according to their gender identity rather than biological sex, a policy opposed by states like Idaho.
Little’s stance aligns with former President Donald Trump, who has called for a nationwide ban on transgender inclusion in girls’ and women’s sports. Idaho’s Defending Women’s Sports Act is part of a broader push across 23 states that have passed similar laws. Even so, some states have faced federal rulings that permitted transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports, regardless of state law.
As Idaho braces for a potential conflict over these rules, Little remains steadfast. With an upcoming game on Nov. 21 between Boise State and San Jose State, where a transgender athlete is set to play, Idaho’s law might soon face a major test.
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