Idaho Anti-Trans Bills

Out in Idaho they are trying to pass two anti-trans bills.

Dozens spoke against bill to ban transgender therapy for youth. Chair won’t advance it
Idaho Statesman
By Ruth Brown
February 26, 2020

Caldwell Rep. Greg Chaney, the Republican chair of the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee, announced Wednesday that he would hold a bill on therapy for transgender children in committee.

During emotional testimony in a Tuesday committee meeting about House Bill 465, more than 50 people expressed concerns about preventing transgender youths from seeking medical care.

Chaney said in a news release that he will not schedule a vote on the bill, which was initially pitched by Rep. Christy Zito, R-Hammett.

“Not all who signed up to testify were able to in the time available. Chairman Chaney announced that if he scheduled the bill for a vote, he would first schedule time for those who had signed up to testify to do so,” according to the release. “As a result of his announcement that H465 would advance no further, Chairman Chaney also announced that he wouldn’t schedule the remainder of the public testimony, either, as it would be moot.”

However, H465 is not the only anti-trans bill in the Idaho legislature.

Idaho House Committee Approves Ban On Transgender Birth Certificate Changes
Boise Public Radio
By James Dawson
February 24, 2020

A bill to bar transgender people from changing their birth certificates to match their gender identity is headed to the Idaho House after a party line vote.

The proposal from Rep. Julianne Young (R-Blackfoot) would implement a similar policy that’s already been ruled unconstitutional by a federal court.

Public testimony overwhelmingly opposed the bill, as has testimony for other bills working their way through the Idaho legislature that target the transgender community.

Blaine Conzatti, who works for the Family Policy Alliance of Idaho, was one of two supporters who spoke Friday morning. Conzatti said allowing these changes will let transgender women use female bathrooms and locker rooms.
[…]
After the federal court ruling in 2018, Idaho was forced to accept applications from transgender people to change the gender marker on their birth certificates. From April 6, 2018 to Jan. 31, 2020, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has received 176 such applications, according to a spokeswoman.

It doesn’t phase the Republicans that the public testimony was against the bill, it doesn’t bother the Republicans that similar bills have been struck down by the courts, it is a wedge bill designed to rally their base.

They also have a third anti-trans bill…

Idaho Transgender Athlete Ban Bill Bucks Growing Trend Of Inclusion
Boise Public Radio
By James Dawson
March 12, 2020

Transgender Idahoans have come under fire at the state capitol this year, and in particular, transgender athletes. The House has approved a bill banning transgender girls and women from competing on teams with which they identify. It’s currently awaiting action in the Senate.

But the move comes after years of sporting organizations in the U.S. and around the globe eventually growing more accepting of trans athletes.
[…]
Idaho legislators want to head in the opposite direction. A bill introduced this year that would ban trans girls and women from competing on teams that align with their gender identity has sparked multiple protests. It also brought Chris Mosier, the first transgender athlete to qualify for an Olympic trial, to Boise.

And he is a heavy weight player.

Nike-sponsored transgender athlete advocates against proposed anti-trans legislation in Idaho
Chris Mosier is one of the first transgender athletes to compete on the international level. Now, he's asking Idaho legislators to stop potential discrimination.
KTVB7
By KTVB7 Staff
March 3, 2020

BOISE, Idaho — He was the first transgender athlete to represent the United States in international competition and first transgender athlete to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the gender in which they identify.

Chris Mosier is also the first transgender athlete to be sponsored by Nike.

Mosier didn't become the first transgender athlete to make the US Olympic team in racewalking. However, that hasn't slowed him down from trying to stop Idaho from becoming the first state to ban transgender women and girls from competing with other women and girls in athletic competition.

If you are wondering why all these anti-trans bills are popping up now well in the fall a conservative organization had workshops to train Republican legislators on these legislative topics.