ACLU Launches Campaign for Transgender Athletes Ahead of Supreme Court Case

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has kicked off a public awareness campaign aimed at supporting transgender athletes in women’s sports, coinciding with a significant Supreme Court case this week that questions state bans on transgender participation.

Dubbed the “More Than A Game” campaign, this initiative was announced on Monday as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox. These cases challenge state laws that prevent biological males from competing in female sports.

In a related press release, the ACLU mentioned that it would run advertisements during the Unrivaled Women’s Basketball series to raise awareness about the impact of these laws on transgender youth.

The press release further stated, “The politicians behind these incidents have made it clear that they are trying to prevent transgender people from being their true selves on and off the field. The states that enacted these laws are not just looking for a Supreme Court ruling to uphold a ban on transgender sports participation, but also for broader legal decisions that could potentially undermine the civil rights and freedoms of transgender individuals in all aspects of life, including education and healthcare.”

An ad released on the same day features athletes, including two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe, along with celebrities like Naomi Watts and Elliot Page, defending transgender athletes as part of the “vibrant fabric of this country.”

“Supporting transgender youth isn’t just about sports. It’s freedom. On and off the field. It’s more than just a game,” the advertisement asserts.

ACLU attorney Joshua Block is advocating for Becky Pepper Jackson, a transgender teenager from West Virginia who filed a lawsuit in 2021 to challenge the law prohibiting biological males from competing in women’s sports. During the Supreme Court discussions, Block suggested that the term “sex” should not be rigidly defined, arguing that West Virginia’s laws may infringe upon Title IX protections.

Block stated, “Regardless of the court’s decision, I hope they refrain from outlining a strict definition of sex. The intent behind Title IX is to ensure that sex discrimination does not occur by denying opportunities. My focus isn’t on labeling BPJ as male or female; rather, it’s about whether she’s being denied opportunities based on that classification.”

After the hearing, when asked by Fox News Digital about his definition of “sex,” Block declined to offer one, emphasizing instead that the primary concern should be the equitable treatment of all individuals, both cisgender and transgender.