Federal Appeals Court Blocks West Virginia Transgender Sports Ban, Protecting Teen Athletes

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that West Virginia's transgender sports ban violates the rights of a 13-year-old transgender athlete under Title IX, stating that the law cannot be applied to her. The court found that the ban discriminates against the athlete, who has been living as a girl for over five years and takes puberty-blocking medication and estrogen hormone therapy. The ruling is a victory for the ACLU and LGBTQ advocates, but the state's attorney general expressed disappointment and intends to continue fighting for the ban. This decision is part of a broader legal and legislative battle over transgender rights in sports across the United States.