Alabama’s state leaders were elated on Tuesday after the announcement of a U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decision affirming the actions of states like Alabama to protect women from competing against biological males in sports.
Alabama took extensive action in 2023, expanding on 2021 K-12 restrictions on males participating in exclusively female sports divisions and mandating that male athletic teams be restricted to biological males and female athletic teams to biological females.
The 2023 measure was sponsored by State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) in the House and State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) in the Senate.
SCOTUS ruled 6-3 on Tuesday in the cases of Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. BPJ that the states’ laws restricting so-called transgender women and girls from competing on female school sports teams do not violate the U.S. Constitution or the provisions in Title IX.
“This ruling is a definitive triumph for the rule of law and the protection of female athletes at every level of competition,” Weaver told 1819 News. “Our work in Alabama to pass collegiate sports protections was centered on fundamental fairness and safeguarding the biological boundaries of competition. The Supreme Court's decision aligns the law with reality, ensuring that the achievements, scholarships, and titles of female athletes remain secure. Alabama led on this issue, and today the highest court in the land validated that leadership.”
DuBose likewise praised the decision and its implications for women’s and girls’ sports.
“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a victory for common sense, for Title IX, and for our girls,” DuBose said. “Alabama didn’t wait for Washington. We acted early because protecting girls’ sports was the right thing to do. Today’s ruling confirms we were right and gives those protections real teeth. In Alabama, we protect Title IX, we protect women, and we protect the integrity of girls’ sports.”
Last year, Attorney General Steve Marshall co-led a 27-state brief in support of Idaho and West Virginia at the Supreme Court. He also successfully halted the Joe Biden administration’s attempt to expand Title IX regulations, which would have allowed males in female-only spaces such as locker rooms and bathrooms.
“Common sense won again,” Marshall said. “Alabama stood strong for our female athletes, and the Supreme Court agreed. This is about fairness. Our daughters worked too hard, sacrificed too much, and dreamed too big to be pushed aside. The science is clear and Alabama will not apologize for protecting the opportunities our girls have earned. Alabama led the way, and today, that leadership paid off.”
Marshall’s chief counsel and Republican nominee to take over his position in the November general election, Katherine Robertson, also chimed in, highlighting the state’s efforts to protect female sports.
"Alabama was proud to lead the red states’ brief in this important case. In this climate, I’ll take a win, but I don’t want to pretend to believe that it’s a big win to give the states authority to keep boys out of girls sports. It’s just so basic. And my goodness, where were the other states? They definitely weren’t at the Great American State Fair," she wrote.
Gov. Kay Ivey likewise praised the decision, noting its fortuitous timing on the last day of June, which is considered “Title IX” month.
"June is designated as Title IX Month across our nation, and SCOTUS could not have had a more appropriate ruling on this final day," Ivey stated. "I am glad to see our nation’s highest court reaffirm states’ ability to ban biological boys from girls sports. Alabama is proud to protect our girls!"
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) joined the chorus of Alabama voices praising the decision and highlighting Alabama’s role in advancing “common sense.”
"This is a major win for fairness in women’s athletics, state rights, and plain common sense," he declared. "When the left decided to make this a banner issue for their party, I’m proud Alabama stepped up and said, 'Not in our state.'”
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) called the decision a “HUGE WIN for common sense.”
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) likewise chimed in, applauding the court’s decision.
"Common sense has prevailed! I am thrilled to see this ruling come out of the Supreme Court and will continue fighting to protect girls and women," she stated.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) stated that the original purpose of Title IX was never to allow biological males to compete against females.
"The Supreme Court upholds that biological men have no place in women's sports," he wrote. "The original intent of Title IX was to provide women and girls with fair opportunities in sports and education. This ruling is a win for commonsense and fairness - protecting female athletes for future generations."
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) said the decision showed that the “radical left is losing its assault on Title IX protections.”
"The radical left is losing its assault on Title IX protections. The Supreme Court's ruling today is a victory for common sense and upholds what we knew was true: biological males shouldn't be competing in women's and girls' sports," said Strong.
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