The decision won't change the status quo in Kentucky, which passed a ban on male students from participating in athletic teams, activities, and sports designated as "girls" in 2022 — all based on "biological sex."
A champion of that legislation, Henderson Republican Sen. Robbie Mills, said in a statement that the high court ruling is a "victory for fairness, opportunity, and the integrity of women’s athletics." He went on to say the Kentucky law was passed in response to efforts to "ignore biological realities."
Another voice cheering on the decision is David Walls, head of the conservative Family Foundation, who also worked on Kentucky's transgender sports ban. He said it's "unjust for states to allow men to come in and take away these opportunities that rightfully belong to our female athletes."
Others disagree with that framing of the issue. Kentucky Congressman Morgan McGarvey told WDRB the law affects a small group of Kentuckians and the high court should put its focus on other matters.
"Let parents, schools, school boards, coaches, and local communities deal with these issues carefully and compassionately," he said. "This ruling is only going to impact one or two kids in Kentucky. It going to make their lives harder. Instead I think the court should be focusing on some of the real pressing problems we're seeing in Kentucky."
In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled against two transgender students who had challenged laws in West Virginia and Idaho.