US Supreme Court to review bans on trans athletes in female sports

July 3, 2025

The US Supreme Court has agreed to review state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that ban transgender athletes from competing in women's and girls' sports, specifically examining cases where two transgender students won injunctions allowing them to continue competing. The decision comes shortly after the Court upheld a Tennessee law banning gender transition care for young people, which some advocates viewed as damaging to transgender rights. If the Court rules in favor of these bans, it could significantly impact similar laws enacted in two dozen other states across the country.

Who is affected

Transgender student athletes, particularly Becky Pepper-Jackson and Lindsay Hecox
Women and girls in sports programs
Students in states with transgender athlete bans
Transgender youth in school sports programs
Residents of the two dozen states with similar bans

What action is being taken

The US Supreme Court is reviewing state laws banning transgender athletes from women's and girls' sports competitions
The ACLU is representing the transgender athletes in their legal challenges
State attorneys general are defending their states' bans
Lower courts have granted injunctions allowing the transgender athletes to continue competing

Why it matters

The Supreme Court's ruling could have significant implications for similar bans across the country
The case follows a recent Court decision upholding a ban on gender transition care for young people
The outcome will affect constitutional rights and protections for transgender students
The decision will impact how schools manage sports participation
The ruling will influence how states can regulate transgender athlete participation

What's next

The Supreme Court will hear the challenges during its next term, which begins in October
A specific hearing date has not yet been set

Read full article from source: BBC