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Supreme Court upholds bans on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, upheld state laws in West Virginia and Idaho banning transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports, ruling these laws do not violate the 14th Amendment or Title IX.
- Justice Brett Kavanaugh, authoring the majority opinion, acknowledged the desire of transgender girls and women to compete but stated that constitutional and Title IX provisions do not mandate changes to women's sports policies.
- This ruling impacts not only West Virginia and Idaho but also sets a precedent likely affecting 25 other states with similar bans on transgender athletes in female sports categories.
- The decision is part of a broader pattern of Supreme Court rulings under its conservative majority that have restricted transgender rights, including bans on gender transition treatments for youth and limitations on transgender individuals in the military.
- The West Virginia and Idaho laws define gender based on biological sex at birth, excluding transgender females from female-designated sports, aligning with recent policies by organizations like the International Olympic Committee and NCAA.
