* ACLU Illinois…

Earlier today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a ruling in West Virginia v. BPJ, a case challenge state bans on transgender students participating in school sports activities. The Court’s majority cruelly permit states like West Virginia to ban students from participating in sports – where students can learn about perseverance, dedication, teamwork and having fun with friends. The Court’s ruling is particularly heartless falling at the end of Pride Month – a time of celebration and continued protest for full inclusion of LGBTQ+ folks in our society.

Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Illinois – groups long committed to protecting and advancing the rights of all people, including those who are transgender – stand united to note the explicit limits of this ruling. Specifically, the groups note that today’s ruling does not change the policy of the Illinois High School Association, which allows transgender students to seek a waiver to participate on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. Illinois law, which remains in place, continues to recognize the humanity and inherent worth of our trans youth in every aspect of their lives. Our state still requires non-religious schools to ensure transgender students can use facilities consistent with their gender identity — including bathrooms and locker rooms. In short, Illinois public and non-religious private schools cannot discriminate against transgender students, including in sports participation.

The Court did not rule that the Constitution requires states to ban transgender athletes from participating in sports that align with their gender identity. The Court did nothing to prevent states from adopting inclusive policies that protect the ability of all young people to compete on teams with their peers.

In response to the decision, leaders from Equality Illinois, Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Illinois issued the following statements:

“Illinois has made clear that transgender students deserve the same opportunities as every other young person, including the opportunity to participate in school sports. Our laws recognize that discrimination has no place in our schools,” said Channyn Lynne Parker, Chief Executive Officer at Equality Illinois. “While this ruling is narrowly tailored, allowing states to enforce blanket bans that exclude transgender students from every sport, at every age, and at every level of competition does not advance fairness. It sends a message that some young people are less worthy of belonging than others. True fairness means creating opportunities for all students to learn, grow, compete, and be part of their communities. We should be focused on supporting young people, not singling them out.”

“Today’s ruling is a painful blow, but it does not diminish the strength, bravery, or dignity of transgender youth across this country and here in Illinois, said Christopher Clark, Senior Counsel and Pro Bono Director at Lambda Legal. “Lambda Legal has spent decades fighting for the dignity and full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV, and we will not stop now. Illinois stands as a beacon — its laws affirm that transgender students belong in every classroom, on every team, and in every space their peers occupy. We call on Illinois schools, administrators, and communities to hold that line, know their obligations, and make clear to every transgender student that they are seen, they are valued, and they are not alone.”

“The Court’s message to transgender students outside Illinois is a message of exclusion,” added Colleen K. Connell, Executive Director at the ACLU of Illinois. “Students, parents and administrators across Illinois must know that nothing has changed in our state. Transgender students cannot be discriminated against in our public schools – including in school sports. The ACLU of Illinois will continue to uphold Illinois law for everyone.”

* US Rep. Mike Bost…

* RAGA…

 Today, the Republican Attorneys General Association celebrates the Supreme Court’s historic ruling allowing states to uphold Title IX and protect sex-based categories in sports. The Court ruled on two cases at the state level:  West Virginia v. B.P.J and Little v. Hecox, defended by West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, respectively.

“This is a monumental victory for every female athlete who has ever competed, or dreamed of competing, on a fair and safe playing field. Today’s Supreme Court decision affirms what common sense and the law have long made clear: states have the right to designate sports teams based on biological sex, not gender identity,” said West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey. ”Without that delineation, Title IX is turned on its head and decades of hard-fought progress to advance female athletes is erased. I am immensely proud of my team for not only getting this issue before the Court but for delivering sound and successful arguments. This landmark victory will give all states, not just West Virginia, the clarity and confidence to ensure fairness and safety for female athletes today and for generations to come.”

“Today’s decision is a victory for common sense, fairness, and the countless girls and women who dedicate themselves to athletics. Idaho led the nation by becoming the first state to protect women’s sports, and I’ve never wavered in defending that law,” said Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador. “The Supreme Court has now confirmed that states can preserve fair competition and protect the opportunities that generations of women fought to secure. Every parent can rest assured that our law protects their daughters competing in Idaho.”

“Republican Attorneys General act — and win,” said RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper. “Today’s decision is a major victory for common sense, fairness, and the integrity of women’s sports. Republican Attorneys General fight for women. They were right on the facts. They were right on the Constitution. And they delivered the equal opportunity case of our generation to protect opportunities for female athletes. The Supreme Court affirmed what Americans have long known: women’s sports should be for women.”

* More…

Charlie Baker, president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), told Congress in 2024 that he was aware of only 10 transgender athletes out of more than 500,000 students on campus teams.

…Adding… Sen. Chesney

State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld state laws protecting women’s sports from “transgender women”/ biological males:

“Governor Pritzker and his radical woke allies just got another harsh reality check. Their dangerous fantasy that biological males belong in girls’ and women’s sports has officially been crushed by the highest court in the land.

“For years, Illinois Democrats have pushed this insane ideology that puts political correctness over basic biology and the safety of our daughters. Biological males possess clear physical advantages — greater strength, muscle mass, speed, and endurance — that make a mockery of fair competition. Enough is enough.

“I’m calling on Governor Pritzker to stop subjecting Illinois families to his extreme gender agenda and immediately support my bill, SB 3724, the Gender in Athletics Act. This legislation protects female athletes by requiring biological sex, not radical gender ideology, to determine eligibility in sports. It bans males from girls’ and women’s teams and gives parents and students a fast-track process to fight back.

“I stand proudly with women and girls across Illinois to defend fairness and end this woke insanity. While Pritzker happily sells out our female athletes to appease his radical leftist base, I will always fight to protect real women and restore common sense in sports.”

WGN in 2025: “The Illinois High School Association says of the 320,000 student-athletes competing in all IHSA sports at all levels, only three people born male asked for and received waivers to compete in girls’ sports last year. The organization granted just two waivers the year before.”