Supreme Court hears transgender athlete ban challenges

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in two consolidated cases challenging state laws that ban transgender women and girls from competing on female school sports teams. The cases are Little v. Hecox (challenging 🥔Idaho's law) and ⛰️West Virginia v. B.P.J. (challenging West Virginia's ban).

During arguments, the Supreme Court's conservative majority appeared likely to uphold the state bans, with at least five justices signaling skepticism toward the constitutional challenges. This suggests the Court may rule that states can prohibit transgender athletes from teams aligning with their gender identity without violating federal law.

Challengers argued the bans violate the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause by discriminating based on transgender status and sex stereotypes, and violate Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education. Lower courts had ruled these bans unconstitutional under both provisions.

States defended the laws by arguing they are based on biological sex differences rather than transgender identity, and are necessary to preserve equal athletic opportunities for cisgender women and girls. State attorneys claimed the bans protect fairness and safety in women's sports by maintaining sex-based eligibility criteria.

The 🥔Idaho case involves Lindsay Hecox, a transgender woman who challenged the state's ban on her participation in college athletics. The ⛰️West Virginia case involves B.P.J., a transgender high school student whose mother sued after her daughter was barred from the girls' track team. Both challengers experienced direct harm from the exclusionary policies.

Twenty-seven other states beyond 🥔Idaho and ⛰️West Virginia have enacted similar bans on transgender athletes in school sports. The Supreme Court's ruling will establish nationwide precedent affecting these laws and potentially hundreds of transgender student-athletes across the country. The Court is expected to issue its decision by Jun. 2026.

As of Dec. 2024, the NCAA reported fewer than 10 transgender athletes were competing in college sports nationwide. Despite the small numbers, the issue has become a major political flashpoint, with Republican-led states enacting bans as part of broader efforts to restrict transgender rights in education, healthcare, and public life.