The legal fight over Idaho’s HB500 could continue for some time, with a judge ruling Wednesday he will decide on an injunction or dismissal by Aug. 10. The law, which went into effect July 1, effectively bans transgender female athletes from competing with cisgender females. It is the most stringent anti-trans athlete law in the nation.
While U.S. District Judge David Nye contemplates his decision, at least 109 prominent organizations, companies, state leaders and LGBTQ athletes have vociferously campaigned against the measure. In recent years, conservative governors have vetoed or augmented anti-LGBTQ initiatives following pressure from the business and sports communities. Perhaps most notably, then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence approved some LGBTQ protections in the state’s religious freedom law after widespread outcry, including from the NCAA, which is based in Indianapolis.
While Gov. Brad Little signed the measure into law — on International Trans Day of Visibility, no less — he is probably feeling the pressure. The following list is not complete, so please feel free to reach out and suggest new additions. We stand united against bigotry:
LGBTQ Athletes:
Lindsay Hecox: The 19-year-old plaintiff in the case against Gov. Little and HB500. Hecox is a cross-country runner. The case is titled, Hecox v. Little.
Chris Mosier: The multi-event athlete has been vocal in his opposition, making local media appearances in Idaho to present his case for equality.
Students who are transgender simply want to play the sport they love & be a part of a team, just like any other student.
— The Chris Mosier (@TheChrisMosier) July 23, 2020
Megan Rapinoe:
On this year’s #NationalYouthSportsDay, the @ACLU and I are calling on the @NCAA to relocate championship events from Idaho after the state passed HB 500, which bans trans youth from participating in high school athletics. Say it with me: trans people belong in sports. pic.twitter.com/YwpQhBFNc5
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) July 22, 2020
Billie Jean King:
I am proud to stand with over 60 civil rights organizations in calling on the @NCAA to relocate all events from Idaho, due to the state’s recent passage of dangerous legislation that seeks to prevent transgender athletes from participating in school sports#LetThemPlay pic.twitter.com/RKeFd9NEEa
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 10, 2020
Ali Krieger:
With so many critical issues affecting our nation right now, Idaho is focused on attacking transgender youth. Join me in urging @GovernorLittle to #VetoHB500 and allow trans youth lifesaving access to the sport they love. #ProtectTransYouth @athleteally https://t.co/rX0MqspTzo
— Ali Krieger (@alikrieger) March 27, 2020
Civil rights organizations, medical and legal services:
American Civil Liberties Union
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Center for Constitutional Rights
FORGE, Inc.
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality
interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth
Legal Momentum, the Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund
Modern Military Association of America
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Council of Jewish Women
National Indian Education Association
National Partnership for Women & Families
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund
Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund
Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity (URGE)
Major companies (including five largest in Idaho):
AEO Inc.
Airbnb
Amalgamated Bank
Amazon
American Airlines
Apple
Asana, Inc.
AT&T
Bayer US LLC
Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim USA
Capital One
Corning Incorporated
Chobani
Clif Bar
CSAA Insurance Group
Dow Inc.
Dropbox Inc.
Eastern Bank
GoDaddy
Hewlett Packard Inc.
Hilton
IBM
Idaho National Laboratory
IKEA North America Services, LLC
Instacart
Levi Strauss & Co.
Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
Lyft, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc.
MassMutual
Micron
Microsoft
Mobilize
Nike, Inc.
PayPal
Salesforce
SunLife
Sustainable Food Policy Alliance
TechNet
Trillium Asset Management
Uber
Unilever United States
Verizon
NCAA:
“As we have previously stated, Idaho’s House Bill 500 and resulting law is harmful to transgender student-athletes and conflicts with the NCAA’s core values of inclusivity, respect and the equitable treatment of all individuals. Further, Board of Governors policy requires host sites to demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and free of discrimination, plus safeguards the dignity of everyone involved in the event. As such, the NCAA Board of Governors was scheduled to discuss the legislation and its implications to student-athletes at its August meeting. … It is our clear expectation that all NCAA student-athletes will be welcomed, treated with respect, and have nondiscriminatory participation wherever they compete.”
Five former Idaho attorneys general:
Jim Jones (R)
Wayne Kidwell (R)
Al Lance (R)
David Leroy (R)
Tony Park (D)
Student body leaders from Idaho’s four public universities:
“We as student leaders and as future state leaders are disappointed with your decision to sign HB 500 and HB 509 into law. “The bills are unnecessary, potentially expensive, and may produce various legal repercussions. They also conflict with the general public’s support for the transgender community.”
