A federal judge ruled that the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority at the University of Wyoming may admit transgender women, reaffirming the autonomy of private organizations in membership decisions. The court dismissed a lawsuit filed by sorority members opposed to a transgender woman’s inclusion, citing contract interpretation and freedom of association.
In the case, originally filed in 2023, plaintiffs challenged the admission of Artemis Langford—a transgender woman—arguing the sorority violated its all-female bylaws . U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson found no violation. He emphasized the sorority’s right—protected under private association law—to define “woman” based on gender identity, not strictly biological sex.
Judge Johnson noted that Kappa Kappa Gamma had openly clarified its inclusive membership stance, distributing materials affirming that “woman” includes individuals who identify as women. More importantly, he dismissed the plaintiffs’ reliance on a Trump executive order defining “woman” as “adult human female,” deeming it irrelevant in private contracts and saying he had no authority to impose that definition.
This dismissal was entered with prejudice, meaning the plaintiffs cannot refile this lawsuit in the same court. However, they retain the option to appeal the ruling.
