Our View: Idaho moves in right direction with birth certificate rule

As of a July 26 report from The Associated Press, 28 Idaho residents had submitted applications to the state to change the gender indicated on their birth certificates.

Idaho was among four states holding out against allowing transgender people to change their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity, but a federal judge's ruling in April forced the state to address the issue.

Now, residents are currently allowed to change their gender on their birth certificates thanks to an administrative rule through the state Department of Health and Welfare. For the rule to become law, however, will take action by the Legislature and a signature from the governor.

We are encouraged by the amount of positive comment and feedback the rule has received, but, of course, some Idaho officials and residents have expressed displeasure with the judge's decision.

Some comments submitted to DHW against the rule showed concern over how it would essentially wipe the birth certificate history, so if a transgender person does not disclose their medical history to a doctor, they may not know vital medical information about their patient.

That sounds like a flimsy excuse to us.

Fortunately, if the Legislature does not do the right thing and instead votes against approving the administrative rule, the state will likely be subject to another court order.

Being one of four states to refuse to allow birth certificate changes makes the state appear to be behind the times.

What this ultimately comes down to is how a person wants to handle their health and identity. The rule does not require a transgender person to change their birth certificate, it merely gives them the option to if they wish.

And what's more American than the right to choose?