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27 States Shielded, 23 Not: Supreme Court Ruling Fractures Transgender-Athlete Policy Across the U.S.

7/3/2026

Supreme Court has codified women's sports protections in 27 states that prohibit biological males from competing in girls' athletic programs, leaving 23 states outside that statutory shield — 19 of which actively allow transgender athletes to compete on gender-identity grounds.

Most governors in those 23 states declined to respond to questions about their positions following the ruling; California, Illinois, and Hawaii said they will hold their current inclusive policies, while Nevada's Republican governor announced a push for new legislation.

A Divided Map: 19 States Actively Allow Transgender Participation Of the 23 states without a law protecting girls' sports, 19 permit transgender athletes to compete under policies rooted in gender identity.

Four others — Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Alaska, and Virginia — have imposed restrictions through athletic associations or state education agencies rather than formal legislation, stopping short of a statutory ban.

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