An Idaho transgender athlete withdraws Supreme Court challenge against state sports law

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An Idaho transgender athlete has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to drop a challenge against a state law that prohibits transgender girls and women from playing on girls’ and women’s sports teams. Lindsay Hecox, a trans athlete at Boise State University, initially sued the state to compete on the university’s women’s cross-country team.

In a recent filing by her attorneys, it was stated that Hecox’s main priority is graduating from college and living a healthy and safe life. As a result, she has decided to permanently withdraw from participating in any women’s sports at BSU or in Idaho covered by H.B. 500.

Following Hecox’s decision to withdraw her complaint with prejudice, the case cannot be refiled. The journey began in 2020 when Hecox challenged H.B. 500 as a freshman at BSU, alleging that the law violated her constitutional and statutory rights by preventing her from trying out for the women’s track and cross-country teams.

The district court granted a preliminary injunction in Hecox’s favor in 2020, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed this decision in 2024. Despite facing personal challenges and negative public scrutiny throughout the legal battle, Hecox has decided to abandon her claims against the petitioners, rendering the case moot.

Challenges and Progress

Over the past five years, Hecox has encountered significant obstacles, including illness and the loss of her father in 2022. These challenges have impacted her academic performance and ability to focus on sports. Despite these setbacks, Hecox has persevered and found strength and camaraderie through sports.

While acknowledging the continued attention and distraction that the litigation may bring, Hecox remains committed to her academic and personal goals. Her attorneys have emphasized her unequivocal abandonment of the claims against the petitioners, urging the Supreme Court to vacate the underlying judgment.

The Solicitor General of Idaho has expressed intentions to oppose the suggestion of mootness, citing the need for additional time to prepare a response. The deadline for the opposition has been extended to September 26.

Fox News Digital’s Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.