A group of transgender Idaho residents has filed a federal lawsuit challenging one of the strictest bathroom laws in the United States, arguing the measure is unconstitutional and puts their safety at risk.
The lawsuit, filed in late April, targets Idaho’s newly passed House Bill 752, which criminalizes the use of bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing facilities that do not align with a person’s sex assigned at birth. The law applies broadly to public spaces, including private businesses, and is scheduled to take effect July 1.
Under the law, a first offense can result in a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to one year in jail. A second violation within five years can be prosecuted as a felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to five years.
The plaintiffs, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal, argue the law violates constitutional protections, including equal protection and due process. They also contend it forces transgender people into an impossible choice: avoid public life or risk arrest and harassment.
According to the complaint, the law’s broad scope and criminal penalties create significant risks for transgender individuals simply trying to navigate daily life. Plaintiffs say the measure could lead to increased profiling, confrontation, and emotional harm, particularly in areas where gender-neutral facilities are limited or unavailable.
Legal advocates describe Idaho’s law as one of the most extreme bathroom bans in the country, noting that while some states have enacted restrictions, few impose criminal penalties as severe or apply them so widely to both public and private spaces.
State officials, including Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, have been named as defendants in the lawsuit. Supporters of the law have argued it is intended to protect privacy in sex-segregated spaces, a justification that has been used in similar legislation across multiple states.
The case now heads to federal court, where advocates are seeking to block enforcement of the law before it takes effect. The outcome could have broader implications as courts across the country continue to weigh the legality of restrictions targeting transgender people’s access to public accommodations.
For many in Idaho’s transgender community, the lawsuit represents more than a legal fight. It is a challenge over whether they can safely exist in public spaces without fear of criminal prosecution.
