Idaho State Capitol – On Friday, a bill to ban transgender people from changing their gender on their birth certificates was sent to the floor by House State Affairs Committee. House Bill 509 would prevent transgender people from changing their gender on their birth certificate to match their gender identity, even as adults. Currently, Idahoans are able to change their gender on their birth certificate through processes similar to changing one’s name.
“This legislation serves no purpose but to discriminate against our already vulnerable transgender population.” Rep. Gannon explained. “In 2018, a federal judge ruled that the state of Idaho must allow avenues for transgender people to change their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity. This decision cited that barring transgender people from birth certificate changes violates the Equal Protection Claus of the U.S. Constitution.”
“This legislation is a legal disaster, setting the state of Idaho up for an expensive lawsuit that will ultimately fall on the back of taxpayers. House bill 509 ignores the protections offered under the U.S. Constitution and will only serve cost Idahoans money. Our job as legislators is to protect the rights of all Idahoans and this bill stands to undermine that. This blatant disregard for a federal judge ruling in order to infringe upon the rights of transgender people will envoke unconstitutional harm on a community that is already disadvantaged for the sole purpose of promoting a dangerous and discriminatory agenda.”