The US Supreme Court upheld state laws banning transgender girls and women from competing in female school and college sports teams on Tuesday, overturning lower court judgments that had ruled in favor of transgender students. The specific cases involved challenges to laws in Idaho and West Virginia, with plaintiffs identified as Becky Pepper-Jackson and Lindsay Hecox. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion.

Accounts differ regarding the vote count, with some sources reporting a 9-0 decision in favor of upholding the laws, while other accounts describe the court as largely divided 6-3. The Court ruled that the state laws do not violate Title IX. Additionally, a report by NBC News stated that the Court ruled the laws do not violate the 14th Amendment.

The ruling does not impose a nationwide ban on transgender athletes but preserves laws passed in 27 states, according to Mother Jones. Lawsuits challenging state laws and regulations in Connecticut, California, and elsewhere that permit transgender athletes to compete consistent with their gender identity remain unresolved, according to The Hindu. A separate report from Bluesky noted that the Supreme Court also rejected efforts to end birthright citizenship, leaving the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of citizenship at birth intact.

Reactions to the decision varied. Donald Trump described the ruling as a 'big win,' and a major LGBT campaign group described it as 'heartbreaking,' according to the BBC. The ruling is described as a major victory to conservatives and part of a fiercely contested culture-war battle, and is characterized as far-reaching and certain to impact trans rights.