On Friday, the U.S. District Court of Idaho ruled against legislation passed by the Idaho Legislature barring Idahoans from changing their gender marker on their birth certificate. House Bill 509 was in violation of 2018 federal court ruling that decided Idaho’s previous ban on changing gender markers defied the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Senator Maryanne Jordan/(D-Boise) expressed appreciation for the decision, but she was disappointed that the law even made it to the court in the first place.
“Democratic legislators, lawyers, advocacy groups, and constituents are not surprised by the court’s decision. Regardless, we are relieved that the court struck down this gross infringement of personal liberty.” Sen. Jordan said. “The Idaho legislature refused to acknowledge that this restriction had already lost in court once. Republican legislators chose to violate their constituents’ rights and waste money to fight a court battle they knew they were going to lose.”
“I am deeply thankful to the District Court for upholding the U.S. Constitution in Idaho, even when the legislature is determined to pass unconstitutional laws that oppress Idahoans. However, the state wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars during an economic crisis that will not end soon. Republican legislators are reaching into taxpayer’s wallets to defend knowingly unconstitutional legislation when most Idahoans are worried about putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads.”