US Supreme Court upholds bans on transgender athletes in female school and college sports

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, upheld state laws that prohibit transgender athletes from competing in female school and college sports, marking a significant decision in the ongoing debate over transgender rights and sports equity. In a 6-3 ruling, the conservative majority determined that states can establish eligibility for women's and girls' sports based on "biological sex," asserting this does not violate federal anti-discrimination laws or constitutional equal protection guarantees.

The ruling specifically affirmed bans enacted in West Virginia and Idaho. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, stated that allowing states to maintain separate sports for biological females is reasonable to ensure fair competition and reduce physical injury risks.

While the decision does not impose a nationwide ban, it empowers individual states to implement or uphold such prohibitions, impacting the numerous states that already have similar laws in place. The ruling has been met with both support from those advocating for biological female sports and disappointment from transgender rights advocates.