Pepper-Jackson’s family argued, and the lower courts agreed, that the state’s law violated her rights to equal protection and Title IX. AdvertisementMooppan, the Trump administration lawyer, argued that the state’s law is legitimate because so few trans women play sports. His statement is a bit ironic, considering that President Donald Trump has rolled back trans rights in part by focusing an outsized amount on this low number of trans athletes. AdvertisementHecox and Pepper-Jackson are the only known athletes in their states who would be subject to the laws affecting trans athletes. Exclusion drools!”Across the barrier, one woman, who declined to give her name, said she flew in from Arizona to demonstrate her opposition to trans girls playing in girls’ sports.

Source: Huffington Post January 14, 2026 00:49 UTC