Little v. Hecox

The Court ruled 6-3 that Idaho and West Virginia may reserve women’s and girls’ school sports teams for biological females. It said the policies are allowed by Title IX and do not violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.

Justice Kavanaugh wrote the 6–3 opinion, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Alito and Barrett; Justices Thomas and Gorsuch concurred; Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented.

Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh wrote the 6-3 opinion, joined by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and Justices Samuel A. Alito, Jr., and Amy Coney Barrett. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch concurred separately. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson; Justice Jackson also wrote separately.

Majority

Kavanaugh

Roberts

Thomas

Alito

Gorsuch

Barrett

Dissent

Sotomayor

Kagan

Jackson

“Title IX allows schools to provide separate women’s and men’s sports teams defined by biological sex”

“B. P. J. is a transgender girl who wants to live her life consistent with her gender identity.”

States and schools may maintain female sports teams limited to biological females under these laws. For example, a school may apply that eligibility rule to girls’ middle school, high school, or college teams.

The cases return to the lower courts for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision. Schools, state agencies, and affected athletes must apply the decision to eligibility rules for female sports teams.

The Court said Idaho may limit women’s and girls’ school sports teams to biological females. It reversed the Ninth Circuit.

Idaho and West Virginia won. The Court ruled their female-sports eligibility policies are permitted by Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment.

Schools may maintain female teams for biological females under the laws at issue. The decision affects eligibility rules in women’s and girls’ school sports.

Yes. The Court said Title IX allows separate women’s and men’s sports teams defined by biological sex.

The cases return to the lower courts. Schools and state agencies must apply the Supreme Court’s decision when administering female sports-team eligibility rules.