Shop Class and Sports Teams
Summary
Hosts Roman Mars and Elizabeth Cho analyze the Supreme Court’s ruling in *West Virginia v. B.P.J.*, which upheld state bans on transgender girls in school sports. They contrast this decision with the 2020 *Bostock* ruling, noting the Court interpreted Title IX’s “sex” as biological rather than inclusive of gender identity. The episode also discusses the Trump administration’s efforts to enforce these restrictions against states protecting transgender athletes.
Topics discussed
Intro: Home ec, shop class, and gender norms in the 70s
The Exciting Game of Career Girls and the origins of Title IX
Title IX explained: From education to athletics
Bostock v. Clayton County: Sex discrimination and gender identity
West Virginia v. BPJ: Title IX and transgender athletes
Equal Protection Clause and intermediate scrutiny
Critique of the Court's reasoning on competitive fairness
Practical effects: Chilling effects and privacy violations
Future legal challenges and potential Congressional action
Conclusion: Impact on transgender rights and show credits
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