Plain-English summary
Court allows schools to define boys’ and girls’ teams by biological sex and upholds state policies
The Court held that Title IX permits schools to operate separate male and female sports teams defined by biological sex at birth and that states’ rules doing so do not violate the Equal Protection Clause. The judgment from the Fourth Circuit was reversed and the case remanded.
Why this matters
The ruling clarifies that schools and state athletics policies may lawfully create separate male and female teams defined by biological sex, affecting policies on who may compete on girls’ teams. It resolves an important national dispute about the interaction of Title IX, equal protection, and participation of transgender athletes in school sports.
Who may feel it
- Transgender student-athletes, especially transgender girls
- Cisgender female and male student-athletes
- Public schools, school sports associations, and state education agencies
- Coaches, athletic directors, and state high school athletic associations
- Parents and guardians of student-athletes