By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports
The House State Affairs Committee on Tuesday introduced a bill that would make Idaho’s definition of “sex” synonymous with the law’s definition of “gender.”
The bill sponsored by Rep. Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot, states in its legislative intent that “there is increasing confusion about the definition of sex as a biological truth and its relationship to concepts and terms, including but not limited to gender, gender identity, gender role, gender expression and experienced gender.”
The bill states confusion and ambiguities regarding the definitions of sex as a biological truth, male, female, and related terms can hinder individual efforts to enjoy equal treatment under the law.
“In human beings, there are two, and only two, sexes: males and females,” the bill states.
“Sex” under the bill means an individual’s biological sex, either male or female. It states when used to refer to males, females, or the natural differences between males and females, “gender” is synonymous to “sex.”
The bill does specify that “sex” is not synonymous to gender identity, or an internal sense of gender, experience gender, gender expression or gender roles.
Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, asked Young how many times these words were used in statute. Young said she was unsure but would bring that information to a hearing.
The committee introduced the bill and it could be heard at a later date.
The definitions introduced by Young do not match the nationally accepted medical definitions of sex. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines sex as “an individual’s biological status as male, female, or something else. Sex is assigned at birth and associated with physical attributes, such as anatomy and chromosomes.”
Ruth Brown | Producer
Ruth Brown grew up in South Dakota and her first job out of college was covering the South Dakota Legislature. She’s since moved on to Idaho lawmakers. Brown spent 10 years working in print journalism, including newspapers such as the Idaho Statesman and Idaho Press, where she’s covered everything from the correctional system to health care issues. She joined Idaho Reports in 2021 and looks forward to telling stories about how state policy can impact the lives of regular Idahoans.