Supreme Court upholds bans on transgender women in female school and college sports

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans that prohibit transgender women from competing in female school and college sports. The ruling considered lawsuits brought by students in two states—Idaho and West Virginia—challenging participation restrictions tied to sex assigned at birth. One set of claims argued the bans violate equal rights protections under the U.S. Constitution, while another argued they conflict with civil rights laws. More than two dozen states enacted similar bans after Idaho passed its law in 2020. In the Idaho case, long-distance runner Lindsay Hecox challenged the statute and initially received injunctions, but an appeals panel said the law violated constitutional rights by failing to show it protects “sex equality and opportunity for women athletes.” The decision follows President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign focus on transgender athletes and a prior executive order, and it came after the NCAA banned transgender women from competing in women’s sports.