CEC Condemns SCOTUS Ruling Upholding Anti-Trans Sports Bans

CEC Chair Rep. Mark Takano: “We have already seen the harms of these categorical bans on all girls, and this ruling will continue those harms in all of the states that have enacted these categorical bans.”

WASHINGTON, DC — Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox, Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement:

“The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold states’ discriminatory, anti-trans categorical sports bans is incredibly disappointing and a failure by the Court to protect the rights of transgender young people,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “This is a devastating ruling for so many young people who just want to play with their friends at school but who, simply because of who they are, have become pawns in political games. States should be focusing on breaking down barriers to participation, not building them up. We have already seen the harms of these categorical bans on all girls, and this ruling will continue those harms in all of the states that have enacted these categorical bans.”

BACKGROUND ON CONGRESS’ INVOLVEMENT IN THE CASES
In West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, the court was asked to consider whether categorical bans on transgender students participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity violate Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause.

In August 2025, Congressional Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), and Senator Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) led 130 Members of Congress in filing an amicus brief in the case, arguing that categorical bans on transgender students participating in school sports violate Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause. The brief was joined by 9 Senators and 121 Representatives—more than twice as many signers than a brief led by Congressional Republicans.