The US Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that states may prohibit transgender women from competing in female sports at public schools and colleges, upholding laws enacted in Idaho and West Virginia.
In a 6-3 decision on constitutional issues, the court's conservative majority found that the state laws do not violate the US Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. All nine justices also agreed that the bans do not conflict with Title IX, the federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, said the Constitution and Title IX do not require states to allow transgender women to compete in female sports categories.
The legal challenges were brought by transgender students who argued that the restrictions violated constitutional equal protection guarantees and federal civil rights protections. The court's liberal justices disagreed with the majority's constitutional analysis, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor arguing that the ruling adopted "a diminished view of equal protection."
The decision marks a significant victory for supporters of the bans, who argue they are necessary to preserve fairness and competitive opportunities in women's sports. West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey welcomed the ruling, calling it a win for fairness and safety for female athletes.
LGBTQ advocacy groups criticized the decision, saying it discriminates against transgender students. Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson described the ruling as "heartbreaking" for transgender athletes.
More than two dozen US states have enacted similar restrictions since Idaho became the first to adopt such a law in 2020. The ruling is expected to reinforce those measures and shape future legal challenges involving transgender participation in school athletics.
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