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Kincaid v. Williams

Updated Sep 19, 2026

In brief

The Supreme Court refused to hear Kincaid v. Williams, so it did not decide whether the ADA excludes gender dysphoria.

Where it stands
Decided

Decided · June 30, 2023 · Opinion by Justice Alito

What it’s about
This case considers whether gender dysphoria is excluded from the definition of a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Who it affects
The Supreme Court did not settle either ADA question in this case. The order does not say whether gender dysphoria is excluded or whether the older term covers modern diagnoses.

Summary: written with AI from the case record.

Illustration for Kincaid v. Williams
Conceptual illustration · AI-generated

What it's about

The dispute centers on whether the statutory exclusion for the obsolete term 'gender identity disorder' applies to modern diagnoses of gender dysphoria.

The dispute sits at the intersection of disability-rights law and an exclusion in federal law built around the now-obsolete term “gender identity disorder.”

Question presented

1. Whether gender dysphoria is excluded from the definition of a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 2. Whether the statutory exclusion for the obsolete term 'gender identity disorder' applies to modern diagnoses of gender dysphoria.

What the Court decided

Holding

Petition DENIED. Justice Alito, with whom Justice Thomas joins, dissenting from the denial of certiorari. (Detached Opinion )

The vote

Majority author
Samuel Alito

What's next

The Court has finished this docket action. The order identifies no further Supreme Court step and does not answer the two legal questions.

Documents

3

Docket activity

6
  • New analysis added

    Sep 19, 2026 · Court records

  • AI analysis generated: Case Briefing

    Sep 19, 2026 · Generated

  • AI analysis generated: Decision Record

    Sep 19, 2026 · Generated

  • Opinion added: Kincaid

    Jun 30, 2023 · Court records

  • Opinion added: Opinion

    Jun 30, 2023 · Court records

Show 1 more
  • Brief added: Petition

    Jan 5, 2023 · Court records

More questions

5
What did the Supreme Court do in Kincaid v. Williams?
It declined review by denying the petition. The Court did not decide the ADA questions.
What remains unresolved about gender dysphoria and the ADA?
The Court did not decide whether gender dysphoria is excluded from the ADA's disability definition.
Does the statutory exclusion for “gender identity disorder” cover modern gender dysphoria diagnoses?
That question remains unanswered in this case; the Supreme Court did not rule on how the obsolete term applies to modern diagnoses.
Who disagreed with the decision to refuse Supreme Court review?
Justice Alito disagreed with denying review, and Justice Thomas signed on to that disagreement.
What happens next in this docket?
The Court's docket action is finished. The order identifies no further Supreme Court step.

Sources

Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.

Checked Sep 19, 2026Methodology

Court records and filings

Reporting and analysis