Kincaid v. Williams
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.

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.
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Opinion added: Kincaid
Opinion added: Opinion
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Brief added: Petition
More questions
- 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.