Last week, the United States Supreme Court agreed to take on two new cases that could protect women’s sports against radical gender ideology and could have important implications here in Massachusetts. Our national partner Alliance Defending Freedom will represent West Virginia and Idaho as co-counsel as the state Attorneys General work to uphold fairness in women’s sports.
In B.P.J. v. West Virginia Board of Education, a 13-year-old transgender-identifying boy challenged West Virginia’s “Save Women’s Sports Act” that prohibits biological males from competing on girls’ sports teams. The athlete claimed that the state’s law violated the Equal Protection Clause and Title IX because it barred him from competing on the school’s cross-country and track teams.
In Hecox v. Little, Idaho is also being challenged on whether it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment when passing the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” prohibiting biological males from competing on girls’ student athletic teams.
Now, thanks to our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom, fairness in girls’ sports will be on the national judicial stage. If the Court rules in favor of Idaho and West Virginia, these wins could set the precedent for states across the country to enshrine laws protecting fairness and safety in women’s sports – including in our Commonwealth.
Over the years, we told you about the multiple incidents and injuries that female athletes in Massachusetts endured due to biological males being allowed to play on girls’ sports teams. In 2023, a male field hockey player severely injured a female player on the opposing team, knocking out her teeth.
In 2024, a girls basketball team from Lowell, MA forfeited a game due to numerous injuries from the other team. Video evidence shows that at least one of those injuries was from a biological-male, reported to be over six-feet tall, playing on the opposing girls team.
These injuries could have been prevented if common sense sports policies had been put in place – MFI is fighting to do just that.
Earlier this year, MFI hosted a rally and press conference at the Massachusetts State House to show support for An Act to Ensure Safety and Fairness in School Sports, a bill aimed at protecting female athletes from unfair and unsafe competition. The room was filled with passionate advocates, standing together to defend the integrity, safety, and equality of female athletics.
In May, MFI headed to the State House again. MFI President Michael King and General Counsel Sam Whiting both testified to express the bill’s purpose – making it clear that the bill does not prevent any students from participating in sports. Instead, it ensures that girls can prioritize their safety without fear of repercussion by choosing to sit out of a competition when a male is playing on the opposing team. Below, hear a powerful firsthand testimony from a Massachusetts female athlete on why this bill is urgently needed.
While we hope SCOTUS rules on behalf of safety and fair competition for female athletes nationwide, MA girls shouldn’t have to wait another year to be protected. No girl should be forced to compete in an unfair or unsafe game against male athletes. Currently, Massachusetts law allows boys to play in girls’ school sports when there is no equivalent boys’ team or when a boy identifies as a girl. An Act to Ensure Safety and Fairness in School Sports is about protecting the integrity of girls’ sports and ensuring that female athletes can compete on a level playing field. It’s time to stand up for fairness, safety, and equal opportunities for our daughters.
The fight isn’t over. Legislators still need to hear from you! Please contact your state representatives and senators today to urge them to advance this common-sense legislation.
We encourage you to keep an eye out for updates and join us in praying that SCOTUS would rule in favor of protecting female athletes and fairness in women’s sports for good.
