Listen Live: Supreme Court hears arguments over transgender athlete bans in West Virginia and Idaho

January 13, 2026

TL;DR

The Supreme Court is reviewing challenges to Idaho and West Virginia laws banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports.
These laws mandate sports teams be designated by "biological sex," restricting transgender participation.
Transgender athletes Lindsay Hecox and Becky Pepper-Jackson argue the laws discriminate based on sex and transgender status.
State officials claim the bans are permissible classifications substantially related to ensuring fair and safe athletic opportunities for women and girls.
Idaho's "Fairness in Women's Sports Act" requires biological sex designation for sports teams.
West Virginia's "Save Women's Sports Act" similarly restricts participation based on biological sex.
Legal challenges cite violations of Title IX and the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
The Trump administration has backed West Virginia and Idaho in these cases.
Estimates suggest up to 122,000 transgender athletes could be participating in high school athletics nationwide.

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