U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) has joined a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers in submitting an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court, supporting state bans on transgender women participating in girls’ sports. The brief is connected to the upcoming State of West Virginia v. B.P.J and Little v. Hecox cases.
The Amicus Brief argues that Title IX, enacted in 1972, defined “sex” as a biological term rather than “gender identity.” It states, “The text of Title IX uses ‘sex’ to mean biology—not gender identity,” and adds, “Because Title IX was enacted under the Spending Clause, its requirements must be clear and unambiguous, and those provisions say nothing about gender identity. Congress should be given the option and ability to consider the policy implications of importing gender identity into the text of Title IX.”
Congressman Barr commented on his involvement: “We must fight in Court, in Congress, and in every community to ensure President Trump’s Executive Order protecting our girls is preserved. Men do not belong in women’s sports and I will continue to work alongside President Trump, my colleagues in Congress, and activists like Riley Gaines to protect female athletes and their private spaces.”
Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02), who led the Amicus Brief with Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), said: “West Virginia passed a law making it clear that men shouldn’t play in women’s sports. This is just common sense – men and women are biologically different. Men cannot become women and they certainly shouldn’t be forced to compete together. We have a duty to protect our children and ensure that no more girls are injured by transgender athletes pretending to be women. I’m proud to lead this bicameral amicus brief with Sen Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in defense of protecting women’s sports at the Supreme Court.”
Barr also introduced the Defend Girls’ Athletics Act, which seeks to cut federal funding from schools that do not implement a national ban on transgender women participating in girls’ sports.
A 2024 United Nations study found that transgender women have won hundreds of medals across multiple women’s sports categories and estimated that over 600 female athletes have lost accolades due to male athletes competing in their sport.
The press release also referenced incidents where female athletes were injured during competition against transgender participants.
Andy Barr has represented Kentucky’s 6th district in Congress since 2013 after succeeding Ben Chandler. He previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Barr was born in Lexington, Kentucky, where he currently resides. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and holds a law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.
