Transgender Women on College Athletic Teams — The Case of Lindsay Hecox

This perspective article examines the implications of Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which bars transgender girls and women from participating in female athletic teams. The law, challenged by transgender athlete Lindsay Hecox and a cisgender high school student, is critiqued for lacking scientific evidence to support its claim that transgender women inherently have an unfair advantage post-hormone therapy. The article highlights the flawed biological assumptions underlying such legislation and discusses potential legal precedents, including the Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County decision, which may influence future rulings on transgender rights in sports.

This perspective article examines the implications of Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which bars transgender girls and women from participating in female athletic teams. The law, challenged by transgender athlete Lindsay Hecox and a cisgender high school student, is critiqued for lacking scientific evidence to support its claim that transgender women inherently have an unfair advantage post-hormone therapy. The article highlights the flawed biological assumptions underlying such legislation and discusses potential legal precedents, including the Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County decision, which may influence future rulings on transgender rights in sports.