FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today issued the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, cases addressing whether state laws prohibiting transgender women and girls from participating on women’s and girls’ sports teams in public schools violate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Today, the Supreme Court ruled that schools can determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports teams based on biological sex.
“Every child deserves to feel that they belong - that they are welcome in their school, on their team, and in their community. Today's Supreme Court decision sends the opposite message to transgender women and girls, telling them that there is no place for them in the sports and school communities they call home.
It does not promote fairness to categorically prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in sports that match their gender identity. Those blanket bans exclude children and women from opportunities to build confidence, friendships, discipline, and a sense of belonging. They deny young people the simple joy of playing alongside their peers and participating fully in one of the most meaningful parts of childhood.
Maryland has chosen a different path. We have never adopted a blanket ban barring transgender youth from participating in school athletics because we believe every child deserves the opportunity to play, compete, and belong.
Our Office stands with Maryland's transgender youth today and every day. We will continue working to ensure that every child is treated with dignity and respect and has the freedom to live as their authentic self.”
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