BOISE, Idaho — Governor Brad Little, along with competitive swimmer and Independent Women’s Voice ambassador Riley Gaines, announced his new Executive Order titled The law to defend women’s sport.
Governor Little says that with the executive order, Idaho is continuing its fight against the Biden administration’s agenda, which consists of a 1,500-page rewrite of Title IX rules that provides additional protections for LGBTQ+ student-athletes.
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“Biological males – men and boys – have physical differences that give them an unfair advantage when competing in sports with women and girls. Female athletes work so hard to get better at their chosen sport. Some of them started playing sports as toddlers. These girls and women and their families dedicate their time, passion and money to hone their skills and compete to win. They deserve a level playing field. That’s why it’s so important for us as a state to do everything we can to protect and defend women’s sports,” said Governor Little. “Riley Gaines is a leader who defends women’s sports, advocates for equality and fairness, and is committed to women’s safety, privacy and equal opportunity. I’m grateful she has come to Idaho to support our efforts.”
The order directs the Idaho State Board of Education:
- “Work with the state Department of Education to ensure that Idaho public schools comply with all Idaho laws regarding fairness in women’s sports, and continue to educate all public schools about the legal challenges posed by the new Title IX rules.”
- “Guarantee every student in Idaho the greatest possible equality of opportunity in athletics and education, as guaranteed to them under the original Title IX rules and Idaho law.”
The full text of the implementing regulation can be found here.
“By signing this Executive Order, Governor Little is standing up against the Biden-Harris administration’s overhaul of Title IX, which is an attack on women’s gender-based rights. This decisive action will prevent unjust gender discrimination, save women’s sports, and protect the privacy of Idaho’s women and girls. Today’s Executive Order is also possible thanks to Rep. Barbara Erhardt’s courageous leadership to protect women’s sports in Idaho. Idaho is fortunate to have such incredible leaders who are not afraid to say that women’s sports are for women. This is what it looks like to stand with women, and I hope every governor does the same!” Gaines said.
“Title IX changed my life. I think it’s important to recognize how far women have come, and now the Biden-Harris administration is taking that away from us because the White House thinks it can dictate what can happen to us and our Title IX. And that’s just not right. I applaud Governor Little for his steadfastness,” said state Rep. Barbara Ehardt. Ehardt is a sponsor of Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act and was an NCAA Division I women’s basketball coach for 15 years.
