On Tuesday, January 13th, a coalition of California LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Center, gathered at the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on cases impacting trans student athletes. The message was clear: Trans youth deserve to be treated equally and fairly.
“This is about human rights, equal protection and it’s giving all youth the chance to participate,” said Terra Russell-Slavin, the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s chief strategy officer, during the press conference.
The two cases before the Supreme Court—West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox—seek to challenge transgender athlete bans in schools. The laws in question are Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, and West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act. Both prohibit trans women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at public schools of all levels—elementary through college.
This is about human rights, equal protection and it’s giving all youth the chance to participate
Terra Russell-Slavin, Chief Strategy Officer, Los Angeles LGBT Center
Viscount Lucas Rojas, chief of operations for FLUX and the Connie Norman Center, recalled his days as a youth athlete. “Being able to be part of a team has helped me find belonging in my community and helped build my character,” he said. “No one should be denied that right.”
The two cases were argued separately before the court on Tuesday, with lawyers for the challengers in both cases arguing that the anti-trans laws unfairly discriminate in violation of protections guaranteed by the 14th Amendment and Title IX. The court’s rulings are expected near the end of the current term in June.
The Center continues to stand with TGNBI+ communities and supports their right to live and thrive in this country. Sign up for the Center’s Policy & Community Building newsletter to stay up-to-date on future developments.
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