During a Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, discussions around transgender athletes competing in women’s sports brought a mix of hope and concern among those engaged in the debate. Many supporters of the legal defenses argued that state bans on biological males participating in women’s sports should be upheld to protect women’s athletics.
However, some activists expressed dissatisfaction with the proceedings and the justices’ lines of questioning.
A range of female athletes, including those who participated in the case and others who showed support outside the court, spoke about their feelings regarding the hearing. Some expressed optimism for a landmark ruling, while others felt disillusioned with the judge’s comments.
Defendants
One notable voice was Madison Kenyan, a former cross country and track runner from Idaho State. She is involved in the case Little v. Hecox and recalls the moment she faced a transgender athlete as a freshman in 2019. “It filled me with excitement and hope for future generations,” she said, adding that states should have the authority to protect women in sports.
Mary Kate Marshall, Kenyan’s teammate, voiced concern about the idea that men can identify as women, stating, “No amount of hormones can do that.” She feels that more people need to understand biological realities.
Laney Armistead, a previous captain of the women’s soccer team at West Virginia State University, reflected on the significance of being at the Supreme Court, saying, “I hope the court protects women’s sports.”
Protesters
Brooke Slusser, a former women’s volleyball co-captain at San Jose State University, shared her experience of discovering her roommate was biologically male and later suing the NCAA. She described the events of the hearing as “surreal” and expressed her desire for clarity regarding the case’s outcome.
Stephanie Turner, a fencer who gained attention for her protest against competing with transgender athletes, remarked on the justices’ reluctance to engage firmly with the language of the issue. “It was a little disappointing,” she said, noting the use of terms like “cisgender.”
Peyton McNabb, who suffered a severe injury in a match against a transgender player, has become an activist in the Save Women’s Sports movement. She highlighted the importance of protecting women’s rights and found it troubling that a Supreme Court justice couldn’t define a woman, expressing concern over the credibility of the court.
Caitlin Wheeler, a former swimmer, criticized the focus during arguments on men’s experiences rather than considering the implications for girls, feeling that their concerns were overlooked. She added that the conversation often reduces women’s identities to mere biological metrics.
Macy Petty, formerly a volleyball player at Lee University, emphasized the long-term commitment many athletes have to this cause, noting that new supporters continue to emerge.
Sophia Laurie, a current advocate from California, expressed disappointment that discussions appeared more centered on men’s desires instead of the rights of women and girls. She praised Justice Alito for grounding his questions in reality and critiqued other justices for their language choices.
Kaylee Ray, a former volleyball player at Utah State, expressed concern about judges’ ideological leanings affecting the questioning process. She views the matter as a women’s issue rather than a political one and strongly believes men do not belong in women’s sports.
