American Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender nonbinary, reacts to Supreme Court ruling

Key Points:

• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho, upholding state laws that require student-athletes to compete based on their biological sex rather than gender identity, affecting transgender athletes' participation in girls' sports.
• Nikki Hiltz, an American Olympic runner who identifies as transgender nonbinary, expressed disappointment with the ruling but emphasized the importance of affirming trans people in sports and challenging negative stereotypes.
• Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored the majority opinion, stating that states may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause.
• The ruling empowers over half of U.S. states to enforce protections for women's sports without fear of legal challenges, though 23 states, including California, New York, and Massachusetts, lack such laws and some protect trans athletes' participation.
• Hiltz, who competes in women's races and describes their gender identity as fluid, highlighted the complex and challenging social climate for transgender and nonbinary communities in the U.S. today.