Young women demonstrate outside the US Supreme Court. Photo: AFP
The US Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state laws barring transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports, delivering a major victory to conservatives in one of the country’s most fiercely contested culture-war battles.
In a 6-3 decision split along ideological lines, the court held that the US Constitution does not prevent states from enforcing laws restricting transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports.
The justices were, however, divided on a separate issue concerning whether the bans violate federal law.
The ruling is expected to uphold similar laws already enacted in at least 27 states, including West Virginia and Idaho, where officials argue the measures are necessary to ensure fairness and safety in girls’ sports.
