On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in two significant cases from Idaho and West Virginia regarding the constitutionality of laws that prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports. These cases arise from legal challenges initiated by transgender athletes who assert that the bans violate their rights.
In West Virginia, Becky Pepper Jackson, a high school student who participates in track and field events, filed a lawsuit in 2021 after being barred from joining girls’ teams. Jackson, who has identified as a girl since elementary school and has taken puberty blockers to prevent male puberty, argues that the state’s law discriminates against her.
The case from Idaho involves Lindsay Hecox, a former college runner who challenged the state’s ban in 2020 after being prohibited from trying out for women’s teams. Although Hecox later withdrew from the lawsuit, citing discomfort with the attention it attracted, Idaho officials have continued to pursue the legal challenge.
Both states’ laws have been blocked by federal courts, which ruled that they violate federal civil rights protections. Now, attorneys general from West Virginia and Idaho are asking the Supreme Court to overturn these rulings, potentially allowing the bans to come into effect. The court’s decision could set a precedent affecting similar laws in 25 other states.
Supporters of the bans contend that segregating sports by biological sex is essential for maintaining fairness and safety in women’s athletics. They argue that sex and gender identity are not interchangeable, asserting that allowing transgender girls to compete against biological girls may undermine equal opportunities for female athletes and violate Title IX protections.
Medical studies indicate that testosterone associated with male puberty can lead to increased muscle mass and physical advantages in competitive sports. Jackson’s legal team counters that these advantages do not apply to her, as she has not undergone male puberty and is currently on estrogen hormones.
The issue has garnered political attention, particularly during the administration of Donald Trump, who openly supported restrictions on transgender athletes. In February 2025, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to withdraw funding from schools that permit transgender athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports, framing the policy as a measure to protect fairness for female athletes. Shortly thereafter, the NCAA announced restrictions barring transgender women from competing in women’s sports, concluding years of efforts to balance inclusion with competitive equity.
As the Supreme Court prepares to deliberate on these pivotal cases, the outcome may have far-reaching implications for the future of transgender athletes and the landscape of women’s sports across the United States.
