U.S. Supreme Court leans toward upholding ban on trans athletes on women's teams

WASHINGTON.– The U.S. Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, showed a clear inclination this Tuesday to support state laws that prohibit transgender athletes from competing on women's teams in schools and universities.

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During more than three hours of hearing, the magistrates analyzed the demands presented by Becky Pepper-Jackson, a high school student in West Virginia, and Lindsay Hecox, a student at the University of Idaho, who allege that these prohibitions violate the Constitution and constitute an act of discrimination.

At least five of the six conservative judges considered that the state laws do not violate the Constitution or Title IX, the historic civil rights rule that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational institutions that receive federal funds. Although there is still no definitive date for the publication of the ruling, the Supreme Court usually issues its decisions in June, at the close of the judicial period. The sentence would have a direct impact on trans athletes who compete in schools and universities across the country, as well as in the "25 states" that have approved similar rules. In previous instances, lower courts ruled in favor of the two plaintiffs, but the Supreme Court —with a composition of six conservative and three progressive judges— seems poised to reverse those rulings.

This litigation is part of the political context driven by the administration of President Donald Trump, who since his return to power in January 2025 has promoted measures that recognize only two sexes —male and female— and order that official documents reflect only the sex assigned at birth, decisions that have generated protests from the LGBT movement and multiple lawsuits.

During the hearing, the federal government argued that states should organize their sports competitions based on "real biological differences between men and women." In a speech in Detroit, Trump called it "ridiculous" that these cases have reached the Supreme Court and stated that allowing men in women's sports is "a lack of respect for women."