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

The Supreme Court of the United States on Tuesday upheld laws banning transgender athletes from taking part in girls’ and women’s sports.

In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled against two transgender students, Becky Pepper-Jackson and Lindsay Hecox, who had challenged the laws in West Virginia and Idaho. The majority opinion was written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

The court said the laws do not break the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution or Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in education.

Kavanaugh wrote that the Constitution and Title IX do not require major changes to women’s and girls’ sports across the country. At the same time, he said transgender girls and women who want to compete in sports deserve respect and should not face hostility.

While the ruling directly applies to West Virginia and Idaho, it is expected to influence similar laws already in place in 25 other states.

The decision is the latest setback for transgender rights at the Supreme Court, which currently has a conservative 6-3 majority.