Summary
The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act to force female athletes to compete against biological males who identify as female.
Case Timeline
- March 2020: Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act into law. Idaho was the first state to pass such a law protecting equal opportunities for women and girls.
- May 2020: ADF asked to intervene in the ACLU’s lawsuit on behalf of Madison and Mary Kate.
- August 2020: A federal court allowed Madison and Mary Kate to intervene in the lawsuit and speak up on behalf of Idaho’s law. Unfortunately, the court also halted enforcement of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act while the lawsuit continues, which means male athletes who identify as women will still be able to compete against women and girls.
- September 2020: ADF appealed this ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
- May 2021: ADF attorneys and attorneys representing the state of Idaho presented arguments in this case to a panel of judges from the 9th Circuit.
- June 2021: The 9th Circuit remanded the case back to the district court to resolve a procedural issue.
- November 2022: ADF attorneys together with attorneys for the state of Idaho presented arguments before a panel of judges from the 9th Circuit for the second time.
- August 2023: After an unfavorable ruling from the panel, ADF attorneys asked the full 9th Circuit to review the case.
- June 2024: The 9th Circuit denied ADF’s request for the full panel to review the case.
- July 2024: The state of Idaho, alongside ADF attorneys, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.
- July 2025: The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.
Commentary
Two states defend women in sports and they stand between truth and disaster | Fox News
Rachel Rouleau
July 12, 2024
Women can beat the odds, but we can’t beat biology. Keep men out of women’s sports
Madison Kenyon
January 11, 2022
The real story of males in women’s sports
Christiana Holcomb
July 14, 2021
It’s time to call foul on ACLU’s efforts to destroy women’s athletics
Christiana Holcomb
September 08, 2020
Idaho Court to Hear from Female Athletes Who Want to Preserve Women’s Sports – My Christian Daily
Sarah Kramer
August 19, 2020
Idaho did the right thing by protecting women’s sports
Christy Mitchell
June 22, 2020
I’m a female student athlete in Idaho. Please protect women’s sports from transgender athletes
Madison Kenyon
June 07, 2020
Lawsuit threatens opportunities for female athletes
Christiana Holcomb
June 03, 2020