Photo of Becky, a white girl with blonde hair wearing clear-framed glasses and a tie-dyed rainbow t-shirt.

B.P.J. v. West Virginia State Board of Education

Location: West Virginia
Court Type: U.S. Supreme Court
Status: Ongoing
Last Update: March 15, 2024

What's at Stake

Becky is a middle school student in West Virginia. She has been a cheerleader and wants the opportunity to try out for the cross-country team. A new law in West Virginia would ban her from doing so because she is transgender. Becky and her parents sued and are represented by the ACLU, the ACLU of West Virginia, Lambda Legal and Cooley LLP.

Over 75 anti-trans laws were introduced in 2021. Among them was HB 3293 in West Virginia which bans girls who are transgender from participating in school sports. This law was signed by Gov. Jim Justice despite his inability to name any transgender athletes in West Virginia. This ban, and laws like it, are opposed by women athletes, women’s sports organizations and medical experts.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that banning girls from participating in school sports because they are transgender is unconstitutional.

Update: On February 22, 2023, the Fourth Circuit granted Becky’s motion for an injunction pending appeal, allowing her to continue playing on her cross-country and track-and-field teams until it rules on her appeal.

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