Central Idaho school district adopts gender inclusion policy

HAILEY, Idaho – A school district in central Idaho has approved a new gender inclusion policy that allows students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity.

The Idaho Mountain Express reported that trustees with the Blaine County School District adopted the policy Tuesday.

The policy prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, allows students to be addressed by their preferred name and permits students to play sports based on their gender identity. It also states that alternative accommodations must be provided for anyone concerned with privacy or safety.

A handful of Idaho school districts have adopted similar policies over the past year.

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has come out in support of the 11 states suing the Obama administration over its directive to public schools to allow transgender students to use the restroom of their choice. The Republican governor says the directive is an egregious act of federal overreach.