Media Advisory: Court hearing on Monday 5/3 at 3:00 pm MT in lawsuit to block Idaho law targeting transgender student athletes

May 3, 2021 2:45 pm

BOISE – On Monday, May, 3, 2021 the Ninth Circuit federal court of appeals will hear arguments in Hecox v. Little, a lawsuit to challenge the Idaho law — 2020's House Bill 500 — which bans women and girls who are transgender and many women and girls who are intersex from participating in school sports. The law also subjects all women and girl athletes to the possibility of invasive genital and genetic screenings. The lawsuit was filed in federal district court by the ACLU of Idaho, Legal Voice, National ACLU and Cooley LLP. Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project will argue.

Last August, Judge David Nye, chief judge of Idaho's federal district court, temporarily blocked enforcement of the new law. At Monday's hearing, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments about whether the law should remain blocked.

The hearing will be held online only. The press and public can watch the argument live on YouTube. The case is one of four cases to be heard by the same three judges on Monday. Proceedings will begin at 2:00 PM MT, with arguments in this case expected to begin a little after 3:00 PM MT.

What: Hearing in Hecox v. Little

Where: Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Live online:

https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/media/view_video.php?pk_vid=0000019189

When: Monday, May 3, 2021, about 3:00 PM MT

Judges: Andrew Kleinfeld, Kim McLane Wardlaw, Ronald Gould

Related Issues

LGBTQ Justice View All Issues

Related Content

Court Case
Apr 15, 2020
Hecox v. Little
  • LGBTQ Justice

Hecox v. Little

Affirming the rights of transgender women and intersex athletes.
News & Commentary
Jul 22, 2020
Hecox v. Little
  • Women's Rights|
  • +1 Issue

Questions and Answers About Hecox v. Little

Earlier this year, the Idaho Legislature passed a bill that bans women and girls who are transgender from school and college sports. The law also forces all girls and women who participate in school athletics to endure invasive testing to prove their sex if anyone disputes their gender. The bill was known as House Bill 500, or HB 500 for short. The Governor signed the bill and on July 1, 2020, it became an Idaho law.What is the lawsuit about?The law makes Idaho the only state to completely bar all women and girls who are transgender from sports. We sued because trans people belong everywhere, including in schools and on sports teams. The lawsuit asks the court to strike down the new law.What is the hearing on July 22 about?The hearing is for the lawyers in the case to make arguments to the judge about HB 500. There are three big topics they will argue about:Will the judge #LetLindsayRun? The judge has to decide whether to stop HB 500 from taking effect during the coming school year. The judge can do that by issuing an order called a “preliminary injunction.” That order would stop the government from enforcing HB 500 for now. If the court issues an injunction, Lindsay Hecox can try out for Boise State’s cross-country team next month.Should the court dismiss the case? State officials have all asked