Tying laws to specific cases can do more harm than good

Tying laws to specific cases can do more harm than good, arguing that sweeping policies against transgender athletes often originate from emotionally compelling incidents rather than consistent evidence. The article notes that on June 30, a divided U.S. Supreme Court upheld state laws barring transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s teams, and that at least 27 states have adopted similar measures. It traces much of the momentum to Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who won an NCAA Division title in 2022, and contrasts that narrative-driven politics with dissent warnings about assuming inherent athletic advantages. The piece cites the American Psychological Association on how named-victim stories can lead people to prioritize emotion over evidence, and highlights that fewer than 10 of 510,000 NCAA athletes were transgender in 2024. It also discusses past laws such as the Len Bias Law and Megan’s Law, describing criticisms around effectiveness and broader social impacts.