FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2024
CONTACT
Malkia Hutchinson, National Center for Lesbian Rights | mhutchinson@nclrights.org
Ninth Circuit Affirms Trial Court Decision Blocking Enforcement of Arizona’s Law Banning Transgender Students from Sports
In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit affirmed a trial court decision blocking enforcement of Arizona’s law banning transgender girls in public schools from playing on any girls’ teams. The case was brought by two transgender girls who are receiving medical treatment for gender dysphoria, the medical term for the distress experienced when a persons’ innate sense of their gender does not match their birth sex. The trial court considered extensive expert testimony from medical experts who explained that the plaintiffs in this case do not have any athletic advantage over other girls and ruled that Arizona’s law sweeps far too broadly.
“Today’s ruling from the 9th Circuit is a relief for our family”, said Helen Doe, Mother of Plaintiff Jane Doe. “With this ruling, our daughter can continue to play with her friends, make new friends, and experience all the benefits that school sports have to offer.”
“Megan is over the moon and immensely relieved to learn of the court’s decision allowing her to play the sport she loves on the team that has always welcomed her as one of their own. Having watched her blossom across the last season as both an athlete and a young woman, her dad and I are deeply thankful to the whole legal team that has fought so hard for her basic right to play ball on the team where she so clearly belongs,” said Kate Roe, Mother of Plaintiff Megan Roe.
“We are pleased with the Ninth Circuit’s ruling today, which held that the Arizona law likely violates the Equal Protection Clause and recognizes that a student’s transgender status is not an accurate proxy for athletic ability and competitive advantage”, said Rachel Berg, Staff Attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights
As a result of today’s decision, the two girls can continue to play on girls’ teams while the case proceeds to trial.
The plaintiffs are represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, and Osborn Maledon P.A.
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The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding, NCLR has maintained a longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the LGBTQ community’s most vulnerable. www.nclrights.org
