Officials from West Virginia and Idaho have appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in efforts to enforce laws that would prevent transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
Each state filed its own petition on Thursday, seeking to overturn rulings that blocked these laws from taking effect. A ruling is not expected for nearly another year, but the cases could be heard as early as September.
“Back in April, the 4th Circuit handed down a 2-1 ruling that reversed an earlier decision upholding West Virginiaβs Save Womenβs Sports Act. I promised back then that I would keep fighting for the safety, well-being, and fairness in womenβs sports, and now Iβm keeping that promise,” said West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.
“We are confident in the merits of our defense of this obviously constitutionally permissible law, which through and through complies with Title IX and the Constitution. Thatβs why we are taking this to the Supreme Court. West Virginiaβs law protects fairness and safety for girls and women in sports. Itβs really that simple.”
“Idaho is committed to ensuring that our women and girls get a fair shot on and off the field,” said Idaho Attorney General RaΓΊl Labrador. “While weβve been fighting for fair and equal athletic competition, activists have been pushing a radical agenda that will ultimately sideline women and girls.”
“Many athletic associations around the world have seen the obvious truth that men are naturally stronger and would create a dangerous, unfair environment for women to showcase their incredible talent in sports. We are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold our law and ensure that women and girls get the opportunities they deserve.”
Both states cite the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment in their petitions.
“With sex-separated sports, women have a chance to compete while not risking their safety against physiologically different competitors,” West Virginiaβs petition states. “Yet more recently, Title IXβs promise of equal opportunity for women and girls began breaking down, as men and boys identifying as women and girls have increasingly been competing in womenβs sports β and winning. Women have been pushed out of podium spots, championship bids, and other chances at fair competition.”
The Biden administration recently rewrote Title IX to give trans participants more protection. However, a federal judge blocked Bidenβs Title IX rule in Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Idaho, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, Virginia, and West Virginia last month.
The New Hampshire Senate passed a bill in May that would bar transgender athletes in grades 5-12 from competing against the gender they identify as. This came a few weeks after Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders signed an executive order in response to the new Title IX regulations, stating she was “appalled” by the “attack on common sense.”
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