(WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a 6-3 ruling upholding Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, a decision that confirms the state’s authority to limit female athletic competitions to biological women and girls. The ruling marks a significant legal victory for the first-in-the-nation legislation originally passed by the Idaho Legislature in 2020.
In an interview on Newstalk 107.9 with host Neal Larson, the bill’s primary sponsor, Representative Barb Ehardt, described the decision as “historic.” Ehardt joined the program shortly after the news broke, expressing that while she felt confident in the legal standing of the law, the high court’s confirmation was a moment of profound vindication. She noted that since Idaho passed the law four years ago, 27 other states have enacted similar legislation.
According to the court’s reasoning, Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Barrett. The court found that Title IX’s prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex refers to biological sex rather than gender identity. The majority concluded that states have a legitimate interest in competitive fairness and athlete safety, acknowledging that biological males generally possess physical athletic advantages. The court also ruled that states are not required to provide individualized exceptions for athletes using puberty blockers or hormones.
The dissent was comprised of Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson. During the interview, Larson noted that the court’s ruling was specifically limited to the context of sports participation and did not address separate legal questions regarding locker room access or restroom usage. Ehardt emphasized that those peripheral issues were the impetus for subsequent legislation, such as Idaho’s “bathroom bill.”
Reflecting on the six-year journey of the bill, Ehardt recalled the significant political pressure and accusations of bigotry she faced during its inception. She credited her experience as a former collegiate athlete and coach for her persistence, stating that her goal was to protect the opportunities created by Title IX for future generations. Larson and fellow host Julie Mason noted the local and national impact of the case, which has remained at the center of the national debate over transgender participation in sports.
