Lincoln, Neb. — The U.S. Supreme Court is allowing states to ban transgender athletes from female sports programs.
In a 6-3 decision, the court determined that West Virginia and Idaho laws banning transgender girls and women from female sports teams do not violate the U.S. constitution’s Equal Protection clause.
More than two dozen states have similar laws, and the court’s decision will likely settle disputes in those cases as well.
Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh lays out an interest in states protecting biological females to ensure competitive fairness.
The court’s conservative majority joined Kavanaugh.
The three liberal justices signed on to an opinion, agreeing in part and dissenting in part with the majority.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen reacted with this statement:
“Today’s ruling affirms many of the actions we have taken in Nebraska through the issuance of the Women’s Bill of Rights, passage of the Stand with Women Act and my support of Sen. Kauth’s LB730 last session.
Men do not belong in women’s sports or spaces. The Supreme Court’s decision affirming the rights of states to initiate these bans is a significant victory — one that will ensure fairness and fair play in women’s sports.”
