US Supreme Court upholds state bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports

The United States Supreme Court ruled 6‑3 that states may bar transgender girls and women from competing on female school and college sports teams. The majority opinion, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, held that eligibility may be based on biological sex without violating the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause or Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education. The decision affirmed the laws of Idaho and West Virginia, and is expected to reinforce similar bans in more than two dozen other states.

The Court’s conservative majority said the physical differences between males and females justify separate teams for fairness and safety. The three liberal justices dissented, arguing the ruling undermines the rights of transgender youth. Reactions were sharply divided: former President Donald Trump called it a “big win,” while civil‑rights groups and LGBTQ advocacy organizations condemned it as discriminatory and harmful to transgender students. The NCAA announced it will not change its own policies despite the ruling. Legal experts anticipate the decision will embolden further state legislation restricting transgender participation in athletics.