Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Sorority Over Transgender Membership
US District Judge Alan B. Johnson recently dismissed a lawsuit from a former University of Wyoming student challenging a sorority’s decision to permit transgender women to join. This dismissal follows an earlier ruling where Johnson found that the sorority had the right to define “women” based on its own standards.
The judge’s latest ruling was made last week, centered on whether the University of Wyoming branch’s actions violated any rules when it allowed transgender student Artemis Langford to become a member in 2022. Johnson concluded that the sorority did not breach any regulations in this case.
In his findings, Johnson highlighted that the sorority explicitly stated it “defines gender, not biological sex.” He pointed out that the standing rules do not necessitate a rigid definition of “female,” allowing for a broader interpretation. “It’s not required to limit the term to individuals born with specific reproductive anatomy,” he noted, referencing even the definitions provided by the plaintiffs, which were wider in scope.
Johnson also dismissed a statement from a former student regarding the definition of “woman,” originally included under a presidential order from Donald Trump. The judge expressed some confusion regarding the particular explanation given about what constitutes an “adult…human woman,” noting that he didn’t have a background in biology.
He emphasized that the court couldn’t intervene in the sorority’s determinations unless there was clear violation of bylaws or evidence of fraud. “Ultimately, we need to let Kappa Kappa Gamma decide for itself,” Johnson asserted.
This case’s dismissal means that the same claims cannot reemerge in his court. That said, the plaintiffs retain the option to appeal the decision.
A spokesperson for the University of Wyoming made it clear that they do not play a role in sorority membership decisions and were uninvolved in the lawsuit itself.
Previously, Johnson had rejected the case in 2023, stating that the University of Wyoming chapter did not provide a precise definition of “woman.” The chapter had voted to include Langford alongside many other approved sororities. The judge remarked that the court wouldn’t issue a definition for “women” at this time, contrary to what the plaintiffs urged.
In his initial complaint, the former student claimed that Langford did not present as a woman and expressed concerns about observing the sorority members in private settings. Notably, the complaint alleged an incident where Langford “had a visible erection” while watching the sorority members. However, Langford has denied this allegation, and further court records reportedly bolstered his claims with support from another female member of the sorority.
