Kaia Anderson, staff writer
As the Supreme Court decides on cases West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox, it seems fitting to return to the ever-important, world-ending, and very controversial topic: should transgender people be allowed to play sports? The simple answer? Yes.
West Virginia v. BPJ centers around Becky Pepper-Jackson, a trans girl who wishes to cross country and track & field on her school’s teams. Unfortunately, West Virginia’s law bans trans athletes from competing. Little v. Hecox takes place at the collegiate level—Lindsay Hecox wishes to run track & field. However, a new ban in the state of Idaho has prevented her from running on the team. West Virginia and Idaho are not special or unique when it comes to having bans on trans participation in sports, according to the ACLU. In fact, 27 states have bans barring transgender athletes from competing, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Many of these laws, in banning both female-to-male (FTM) and male-to-female (MTF) transitioners, use the rhetoric and reasoning of protecting women from men, aka protecting cis women from transgender women.
The recent influx of bans has also coincided with an uptick in “transvestigations,” the investigation of whether or not someone is secretly transgender. This is majorly affecting the sports world as it is not just affecting transgender athletes. Cisgender female athletes are also being accused of being transgender due to these bans. During the 2024 Summer Olympics, Imane Khelif was accused of being transgender after defeating Angela Carini. This accusation was made simply because Khelif does not look traditionally feminine, and who would expect her to—she is a professional boxer after all. Transvestigations lead to serious harm, from online hate to needing to show your genitals to “prove” your gender. These bans and investigations can only cause harm.
Women have been fighting for equality in sports for a long time. In 1972, Title IX was passed, prohibiting sex-based discrimination in a variety of things, including sports. To this day, women’s sports are underappreciated and their athletes underpaid. During the 2025 season, players of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) were pushing for higher, more equitable pay. Instead of focusing on making women’s sports more equitable, the spotlight continues to stay on the so-called problem of transgender athletes.
Women have been fighting for equality in sports for a long time. In 1972, Title IX was passed, prohibiting sex-based discrimination in a variety of things, including sports. To this day, women’s sports are underappreciated and their athletes underpaid.
Kaia anderson
Women’s sports have always been a place of inclusivity. Just in the WNBA there are 44 openly gay players, making up approximately 30% of the entire league, according to Autostraddle. The community around women’s sports have also always uplifted marginalized voices and spoken out against hate. Take Britta Curl-Salemme, a player for the Minnesota Frost. She has sparked controversy by being outspoken about her views against the LGBTQ+ community and has been met with boos on the ice.
A majority of those picketing for transgender bans in sports, who continuously say that women athletes need to be protected, do not actually watch or engage with women’s sports—or else they would know better. Transgender people do have a place in athletics from high school teams to the national stage–everyone should get the chance to play the sport they love.
https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/youth/sports_participation_bans