LEXINGTON, KY – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J. in favor of Idaho and West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports laws that prohibit biological males from invading girls’ sports. Specifically, the Court concluded that neither the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution nor Title IX prohibits states from passing laws to keep biological males out of girls’ sports.
These decisions overruled misguided opinions from the Fourth Circuit and the Ninth Circuit that blocked Save Women’s Sports Laws. In doing so, the Supreme Court embraced biological reality and common sense by rejecting arguments from LGBTQ advocates who sought to impose radical transgender ideology onto states by inventing new rights in the U.S. Constitution and rewriting Title IX.
Kentucky and more than half the states have passed laws protecting fairness in women’s sports. The Kentucky General Assembly passed TFF-supported SB 83 in 2022, which was authored by Sen. Robby Mills and championed in the House by lead sponsor Rep. Ryan Dotson. The Family Foundation and over 200 female state legislators, including 13 from Kentucky, joined an amicus brief last year successfully urging the Court to rule in favor of Save Women’s Sports Laws. The Family Foundation’s Executive Director David Walls was also at the U.S. Supreme Court for the oral arguments that took place earlier this year.
Statement from David Walls, Executive Director of The Family Foundation:
“Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court is a huge victory for truth, the rule of law, and sanity in our country. The Supreme Court has emphatically affirmed the reality that all Kentuckians and Americans know: men do not belong in women’s sports. I’m grateful for the female athletes across the country, like Riley Gaines of the University of Kentucky, who courageously fought to protect the dignity of female athletes from the injustices of radical transgender ideology. This victory vindicates their brave voices.
“Our nation’s High Court has also vindicated state Save Women’s Sports Laws passed in Kentucky and at least 25 other states that will remain in full effect. I applaud the work of the Kentucky General Assembly and pro-family state legislatures across the country for passing legislation to ensure men can no longer steal opportunities, championships, and the dignity of women and girls. The Family Foundation and our allies look foward to building on today’s victory to end the war on truth and biology once and for all,” Walls concluded.
Statements from Senator Robby Mills (R-Henderson) and Representative Ryan Dotson (R-Winchester):
In response to the Supreme Court victory, Sen. Robby Mills stated, “I was proud to author SB 83 to protect women and girls across Kentucky. Men do not belong in women’s sports, and I will always defend the safety, dignity, and opportunities of our female athletes. I am grateful that the Supreme Court upheld the rights of states to protect and defend our female athletes.”
Rep. Ryan Dotson added, “Not one young girl or young lady should lose a sports title, a spot on the team, or lose a scholarship because of a man falsely claiming to be a girl. I am grateful that Kentucky protected female athletes with SB 83, and I was proud to lead that effort in the Kentucky House. I am grateful that the Supreme Court upheld these commonsense laws and ensured that girls across Kentucky never have a sports accomplishment threatened by a man again.”
The Kentucky Senate passed SB 83 in 2022 by a vote of 27-8, and the Kentucky House passed it 70-23. After Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed the bill, the General Assembly overwhelmingly overrode his veto, passing SB 83 into law. The Family Foundation was proud to help lead that effort.
###
The Family Foundation is the leading Christian public policy organization in Kentucky and stands for Kentucky families and the Biblical values that make them strong. Learn more at kentuckyfamily.org.