Supreme Court upholds Idaho, West Virginia laws limiting Female Sports to Biological Females

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KIFI) — In a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of Idaho's and West Virginia's laws allowing schools to maintain women's and girls' sports teams for biological females and determine eligibility based on biological sex.

Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh stated that neither Title IX nor the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prevents schools from maintaining distinct teams for biological females, nor do they require legally mandated exceptions for transgender athletes.

The Court concludes that separate sports teams for biological males and biological females are reasonable given the inherent physical differences between the sexes," Kavanaugh wrote. "Allowing only biological females to play on women’s and girls’ teams can reduce the risk of physical injury and ensure fair competition."

The ruling hung its interpretation of Title IX on the historical context of the civil rights statute. The majority opinion stated that the term "sex" cannot plausibly be interpreted to refer to anything other than biological sex, adding that the ordinary meaning of the word at the time of enactment was not gender identity, particularly in the sports context.

Idaho Leadership Applauds High Court Decision

Following the ruling, Idaho Governor Brad Little applauded the high court's decision, calling it "a historic moment for common sense."

"Idaho was the very first state to ban men from participating in women’s sports with the passage of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act," said Little. "We are leading the nation in supporting generations of women and men who fought hard to uphold Title IX protections and keep girls and women safe."

Governor Little went on to thank the Idaho Legislature and Representative Barbara Ehardt, who originally introduced Idaho's Fairness in Women's Sports Act in 2020. He praised Ehardt "for her leadership on this issue of great importance to female athletes across Idaho and the nation."

Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke echoed the governor's sentiments, calling the decision a "resounding victory for fairness in women's sports and for every young woman in Idaho."

"The Fairness in Women's Sports Act is about protecting the integrity of women's athletics and ensuring that decades of progress under Title IX aren't quietly undone," said Bedke. "The Supreme Court has now made clear that states have not just the right, but the responsibility, to defend that principle. I'm proud that Idaho led the nation on this issue and I want to thank my former colleagues in the Legislature for their courage in passing this law while I was Speaker in 2020. Idaho will keep standing for women and girls in athletics."

Attorney General Raúl Labrador, who requested that the U.S. Supreme Court review the case after taking office in January 2023, similarly welcomed the Supreme Court's validation.

"Today’s decision is a victory for common sense, fairness, and the countless girls and women who dedicate themselves to athletics,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Idaho led the nation by becoming the first state to protect women’s sports, and I’ve never wavered in defending that law. The Supreme Court has now confirmed that states can preserve fair competition and protect the opportunities that generations of women fought to secure. Every parent can rest assured that our law protects their daughters competing in Idaho."

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide further updates and information throughout the day.