Good News: U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Fairness in Women’s Sports

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2026

Little Rock, Ark. – On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld state laws protecting fairness in women’s sports.

Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement praising the ruling, saying, “This is a good decision that makes sure women and girls are not forced to compete against biological males in school sports. Letting males compete in women’s sports is unfair. It erases 50 years of advancements for women and girls. It hurts their athletic and scholarship opportunities as students, and it hurts their professional opportunities as adults. In some sports, it can even be dangerous. Today’s decision is a victory that preserves fairness in women’s sports.”

Cox pointed out that most Americans do not believe girls should be forced to compete against biological males in school sports. “Public opinion polling from Gallup has shown most Americans agree that athletes should compete according to their biological sex — not their gender identity. Protecting fairness in women’s sports is just common sense. Americans understand that, and our federal courts do too.”

Cox said Arkansans should be proud that their leaders have been at the forefront of the effort to protect fairness in women’s sports. “Arkansas was among the first states in the nation to enact a law clearly protecting women’s sports. Act 461 of 2021 by Sen. Missy Irvin and Rep. Sonia Barker prevents male student athletes from competing against girls in women’s athletics at school. Family Council was pleased to work with the Arkansas Legislature to support passage of this good law. Act 461 was never challenged in court, but similar laws in West Virginia and Idaho were. Last year, Family Council joined dozens of state policy organizations and more than 200 state legislators — including Rep. Mary Bentley and Rep. Robin Lundstrum from Arkansas — in a legal brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold those laws. Today the Court did exactly that. That is something to celebrate.”

###

Related posts: