ACLU Sues Idaho Over Groundbreaking Fairness in Women’s Sports Act

April 15
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2020

ACLU Sues Idaho Over Groundbreaking Fairness in Women’s Sports Act

The first-of-its kind law, signed last month, protects fair competition in girls’ sports

 

BOISE, Idaho – Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the state of Idaho over the newly-signed Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. The law is the first of its kind in the nation and ensures the integrity of fair competition in sports is maintained by prohibiting boys from playing on girls’ sports teams in schools.

When biological boys are allowed to compete against biological girls, the competition can be over before it begins. That’s what happened in Connecticut, where three female high school track stars are embroiled in a federal lawsuit over a policy which allowed biological men to compete in their category. Even though high school boys naturally have greater muscle mass and often have greater cardiovascular capacity than girls, the state allowed biological boys (who said they were girls) to compete – and ultimately defeat the three female track stars.

Blaine Conzatti, Director of Advocacy at Family Policy Alliance of Idaho, said of the ACLU’s suit: “It’s a shame that the ACLU and other far-left advocacy groups would attempt to overturn this important protection for girls’ high school and college sports.”

The ACLU has a long history of defending women’s equal opportunities in education, including athletics, under Title IX. In 2009, they championed collegiate female volleyball players when their university eliminated the female volleyball program. In 2012, they praised Title IX for increasing women’s sports participation in high school and college by 90%, touting Title IX’s ability to improve the lives of females, ensuring they are not relegated to the sidelines, or treated as second-class citizens.

Said Conzatti: “It is a sad and painfully ironic day when the long-time advocacy group for women’s rights rejects their long history in favor of advancing a polar opposite agenda—championing boys’ takeover of female athletic opportunities, most likely relegating girls to the sidelines and decreasing female participation in athletics. Biological boys shouldn’t force their way into girls’ sports. We want girls to reach their highest potential in athletics – and that means keeping girls’ sports opportunities available for women.”

The law passed with a veto-proof supermajority in both legislative chambers and was widely supported by Idahoans concerned about the future of women’s sports. Thousands of citizens wrote letters of support to the Governor, thanking him for signing it. “We are thankful to Governor Little for taking the right step to sign this law,” added Conzatti, “and we hope that his administration will take the just and courageous step to defend this law against those who would disenfranchise girls from their own sports.”

Media Contact:

Robert Noland, (719) 308-2822, Robert.Noland@FamilyPolicyAlliance.com

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Family Policy Alliance of Idaho is a public policy partner of Focus on the Family, and part of a vibrant national alliance of pro-family state groups. As a Christ-centered organization, our vision is a nation where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive and life is cherished.