Supreme Court to decide on state bans affecting transgender students in girls' and women's sports

The Supreme Court has taken up cases from West Virginia and Idaho regarding state laws banning transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women’s sports. The cases involve two transgender students, Becky Pepper-Jackson and Lindsay Hecox, who have won injunctions allowing them to continue competing. The court's decision to hear the case follows a recent ruling upholding a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for young people, leaving legal questions about transgender rights unresolved.

Oral arguments are expected later this year, with a ruling anticipated by June 2026. More than half of U.S. states have laws barring transgender students from girls' or women’s sports, with legal challenges ongoing. The fight over transgender rights has become a national issue, with the Biden administration expanding protections while the Trump administration rolled back measures.

The cases involve questions about whether these state laws violate the 14th Amendment and Title IX. The Biden administration has proposed that blanket bans on transgender athletes would be unlawful, while the Trump administration has taken a different stance. The Supreme Court is yet to rule on how federal law applies to Title IX in relation to transgender athletes.

According to the source: NBC News.