Transgender athletes in girls' sports
In brief
Idaho won: its rule reserving women’s and girls’ school sports teams for biological females may remain in effect.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 6-3 · June 30, 2026 · Opinion by Justice Thomas
- What it’s about
- The Court held that Idaho’s law limiting women’s and girls’ school sports teams to biological females does not violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. The Court reversed the Ninth Circuit and sent the case back for further proceedings.
- Who it affects
- Idaho schools may continue to reserve girls’ and women’s teams for biological females. For example, an Idaho school may apply that rule when deciding eligibility for a girls’ team.
What it's about
The decision says Idaho’s approach of reserving female school sports teams for biological females passes constitutional review.
Question presented
Whether laws that seek to protect women's and girls' sports by limiting participation to women and girls based on sex violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?
What the Court decided
Holding
Idaho did not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by maintaining female sports teams for biological females. No. 24–43, 98 F. 4th 542, and No. 24–38, 104 F. 4th 1061, reversed and remanded.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
What's next
The case returns to the Ninth Circuit for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision. Lower courts must apply the Court’s equal-protection conclusions.
Docket activity
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More questions
- What did the Supreme Court rule in Hecox?
- The Court ruled that Idaho may reserve women’s and girls’ school sports teams for biological females. It found no Equal Protection Clause violation.
- Who won Hecox?
- Idaho won. The Court reversed the Ninth Circuit judgment that had ruled against the state.
- What does Hecox mean for Idaho schools?
- Idaho schools may continue limiting girls’ and women’s teams to biological females.
- What happens next in Hecox?
- The case goes back to the Ninth Circuit for further proceedings. That court must apply the Supreme Court’s decision.
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.