WASHINGTON, D.C. (KIFI) — In a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of Idaho’s and West Virginia’s laws allowing schools to maintain women’s and girls’ sports teams for biological females and determine eligibility based on biological sex.
Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh stated that neither Title IX nor the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prevents schools from maintaining distinct teams for biological females, nor do they require legally mandated exceptions for transgender athletes.
The Court concludes that separate sports teams for biological males and biological females are reasonable given the inherent physical differences between the sexes,” Kavanaugh wrote. “Allowing only biological females to play on women’s and girls’ teams can reduce the risk of physical injury and ensure fair competition.”
The ruling hung its interpretation of Title IX on the historical context of the civil rights statute. The majority opinion stated that the term “sex” cannot plausibly be interpreted to refer to anything other than biological sex, adding that the ordinary meaning of the word at the time of enactment was not gender identity, particularly in the sports context.
Idaho Leadership Applauds High Court Decision
Following the ruling, Idaho Governor Brad Little applauded the high court’s decision, calling it “a historic moment for common sense.”
“Idaho was the very first state to protect women’s sports with the passage of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” Little said. “We are leading the nation in supporting generations of women and men who fought hard to uphold Title IX protections and keep girls and women safe.”
Governor Little went on to thank the Idaho Legislature and Representative Barbara Ehardt, who originally introduced Idaho’s law. He praised Ehardt “for her leadership on this issue of great importance to female athletes across Idaho and the nation.”
Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke echoed the governor’s sentiments, calling the decision a “resounding victory for fairness in women’s sports and for every young woman in Idaho.”
“The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act is about protecting the integrity of women’s athletics and ensuring that decades of progress under Title IX aren’t quietly undone,” Bedke said in a statement. “The Supreme Court has now made clear that states have not just the right, but the responsibility, to defend that principle. I’m proud that Idaho led the nation on this issue, and I want to thank my former colleagues in the Legislature for their courage in passing this law while I was Speaker in 2020. Idaho will keep standing for women and girls in athletics.”
This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide further updates and information throughout the day.
