KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images
- A federal judge blocked an anti-trans law in West Virginia that bans trans girls from participating on female teams.
- The ACLU sued the state on behalf of 11-year-old Becky Pepper-Jackson, an aspiring cross country runner.
- The decision comes hours after a federal judge blocked another anti-trans law in Arkansas.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that West Virginia cannot block transgender girls from playing on female sports teams – the third US federal court in the last month to block an anti-trans law from taking effect.
The American Civil Liberties Union tweeted about the win on behalf of its client, 11-year-old Becky Pepper-Jackson, whose desire to join her middle school's cross country team in the upcoming school year would have been impossible under a bill passed by the West Virginia Legislature earlier this year.
"Our client Becky should have the opportunity to participate in school sports, just like any other middle school girl," the tweet said.
Judge Joseph R. Goodwin in his ruling said he had been provided with "scant evidence" that the anti-trans law "addresses any problem at all, let alone an important problem."
The decision comes hours after a federal judge blocked a different anti-trans law in Arkansas that would have banned doctors from providing young patients with gender-affirming care.