The Supreme Court on Tuesday waded into a highly contested debate over transgender participation in sports, hearing arguments on whether states may prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school and college athletics.

With a 6–3 conservative majority, the court is reviewing two cases brought by transgender students challenging statewide bans in West Virginia and Idaho. The students, Becky Pepper-Jackson and Lindsay Hecox, previously secured lower court rulings allowing them to continue participating in sports while their legal challenges proceed.

Pepper-Jackson, a 15-year-old high school sophomore, has undergone puberty suppression and estrogen treatment and has competed in cross-country, shot put and discus. She said the West Virginia law would prevent her from participating in school sports “as the girl I am and the girl I’ve always known myself to be,” according to a statement shared by her legal team.

“I participate for the same reasons as my teammates — to build friendships, enjoy competition and challenge myself through teamwork,” Pepper-Jackson said. “I only want the same opportunities as my peers.”

Hecox, a 25-year-old college student, has received testosterone suppression and estrogen therapy. She attempted to join her college’s track and cross-country teams and later took part in running and club soccer activities.

Her case carries an additional complication: Hecox is no longer competing in sports covered under Idaho’s ban and has expressed a desire to withdraw from the lawsuit, citing the intensity of public attention surrounding the case.

The court’s decisions in the two cases could shape national policy on transgender participation in school and collegiate athletics.