Transgender West Virginia Teen Challenges Athletic Ban at Supreme Courthttps://www.aclu.org/press-releases/transgender-west-virginia-teen-challenges-athletic-ban-at-supreme-court 🔗ACLU of West Virginia, ACLU of Idaho (10 Nov 2025)
WASHINGTON – Attorneys representing a 15-year-old West Virginia transgender girl, Becky Pepper-Jackson, and her mother Heather Jackson today filed their response brief to the Supreme Court of the United States in their challenge to a 2021 West Virginia law barring Pepper-Jackson from participating on girl's athletic teams. Becky and her mother are represented in West Virginia v. B.P.J by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of West Virginia, Lambda Legal, and Cooley LLP.
"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 practice and teamwork," said Becky Pepper-Jackson, 15, of West Virginia. "And all I've ever wanted was the same opportunities as my peers. Instead, I've had my rights and my life debated by politicians who've 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 one part of a plan to push transgender people like me out of public life entirely. I'm proud to stand up alongside my mom for what I believe and who I am and I want other transgender kids to know they aren't alone."
"I've always raised my children to stay true to themselves, no matter what anyone else tells them," says Heather Jackson, mother of Becky Pepper-Jackson. ""I'm so proud of Becky and the young woman she's becoming, one who is hardworking, kind, and a team player. My daughter and every transgender kid like her deserves the freedom to be themselves and a future where no one is discriminated against just because of who they are."
