Utah judge allows transgender youth to participate in girls' school sports

A judge issued an order to block a Utah legislation that prohibits transgender youths from participating in youth sports. As a result, boys who consider themselves girls will be allowed to join girls' teams when school starts.

The state law prohibited all trans girls from playing on girls' sports teams. Republican Governor Spencer Cox vetoed the rule in late March, but this veto was subsequently overridden by Utah's chambers.

In May, the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and a law firm - Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati - filed a legal challenge in the state court on behalf of the families of three teenagers. They argued that the rule was unconstitutional and discriminatory.

"Unfavorable treatment"

Finally, the Utah Third District Court stressed Friday that "the ban singles out transgender girls and categorically prohibits them from competing on women's sports teams." "At the same time, other girls are free to compete. This is clearly unfavorable treatment," Judge Keith Kelly wrote in his court ruling.