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The family of transgender athlete Becky Pepper-Jackson filed a response in an upcoming Supreme Court battle over biological males in women’s sports.
The brief, filed by the athlete’s mother, Heather Jackson, claims that West Virginia’s law banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports violates Title IX.
Title IX does not explicitly protect the right of biologically male transgender individuals to identify as female. The current administration and the West Virginia state government do not interpret Title IX as protecting this right.
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Heather Jackson’s card also notes her child’s character and desire to play sports with girls.
“BPJ is a teenage girl from West Virginia who is ‘bright and kind’. She makes ‘straight A’s’ and loves math and science. She also loves playing with her family’s dogs, riding her bike, running and spending time with her friends,” the report reads.
“BPJ wants to play sports for the same reasons most kids do: to have fun and make friends as part of a team. Her experiences on sports teams have allowed her to build teamwork, confidence and friendship while cultivating her work ethic.
“She feels free and completely herself when she’s out on the court. Because participating on boys’ teams as a transgender girl would be isolating, stigmatizing and publicly humiliating, and because co-ed teams in West Virginia are virtually non-existent, the girls’ teams are BPJ’s only real option to participate in her school program.”
LEGAL DEFENSE TO ‘SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS’ GIVES RIGHT TO ARGUMENT TO SCOTUS MIDDLE TRANS ATHLETE
The trans athlete released a statement through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which advocates for the athlete’s right to compete with girls, claiming that West Virginia’s law protecting girls’ sports is “part of a plan to push transgender people like me completely out of public life.”
“I play for my school for the same reason other kids on my track team do – to make friends, have fun and challenge myself through training and teamwork,” said the 15-year-old.
“And all I ever wanted was the same opportunities as my peers. Instead, I’ve had my rights and my life debated by politicians who have never even met me but want to stop me from playing sports with my friends. I know this case isn’t just about me, or even just about sports.
“It’s just part of a plan to push transgender people like me completely out of public life. I’m proud to stand up with my mom for what I believe and who I am, and I want other transgender kids to know they’re not alone.”
West Virginia vs. The BPJ lawsuit is one of two cases dealing with trans inclusion in women’s and girls’ sports that will be heard by the Supreme Court, likely in early 2026.
The case, along with Little vs. The Hecox case in Idaho focuses on whether states have the right to pass and enforce laws that prevent biological males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
The trans athlete in Little vs. Hecox, Lindsay Hecox, tried to have the case dismissed despite being the one who filed it back in 2020.
Hecox originally filed the lawsuit in 2020 to block an Idaho state law, HB 500, which prohibits men from competing in women’s sports, from competing for the Boise State women’s cross country team. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in July along with a similar case in West Virginia involving a trans athlete, West Virginia vs. BPJ
Hecox then tried to have the case against Idaho and Gov. Brad Little dropped in September.
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However, a federal judge rejected Hecox’s attempt to dismiss, and the Supreme Court ruled that it would not rule on whether to dismiss the case, at least until the defendants make oral arguments.
