The Supreme Court seems likely to uphold state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams. Lower courts ruled for the transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia who challenged the state bans. But the conservative-dominated Supreme Court gave no indication after more than three hours of arguments Tuesday that it would follow suit. Instead, at least five of the six conservatives on the nine-member court indicate they'll rule the laws don't violate either the Constitution or the landmark Title IX law. Title IX prohibits discrimination in education and has produced dramatic growth in girls and women's sports.
LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. see lower social acceptance for transgender people than those who are lesbian, gay or bisexual, a new Pew Research Center poll found. The survey found that most LGBTQ+ adults believe there is a great deal or fair amount of acceptance for lesbian and gay people. But about half said that's not true for transgender and nonbinary Americans. The survey was conducted in January. That was just before President Donald Trump returned to office and started rolling out a series of policies aimed at transgender people, including a ban from the military and some sports competitions, as well as blocking federal spending on gender-affirming health care for those under 19.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has spoken out against allowing transgender women and girls to compete in female sports. It's a break from progressives for the potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate. Speaking on the inaugural episode of his new podcast, Newsom called it an issue of fairness. It's the latest development in Democrats' internal debate over whether cultural issues or other matters explain the party's 2024 election losses. Newsom made his declaration in an extended conversation with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old who built the influential Turning Point USA organization that helped President Donald Trump increase his support last fall among young voters.
Election victories for Donald Trump and other candidates whose campaigns demeaned transgender people reinforced a widespread backlash against trans rights. For America's LGBTQ-rights movement, it adds up to one of the most sustained setbacks in its history. For transgender Americans, it's personal. There is palpable fear of potential Trump administration steps to further marginalize them. But there is also a spirit of resilience. Anti-trans momentum has been growing for several years, with Republican-governed states enacting dozens of laws restricting trans people's options for medical care, sports participation and public restroom access. Activists fear the movement will grow, with the Trump administration taking power as many Americans question the trans-rights agenda.
