Appeal judges to rule on case of trans woman admitted to US university’s sorority

A US appeals court is set to hear evidence from six members of a US university’s sorority after they challenged the admission of a transgender woman into their chapter.

Women in the Kappa Kappa Gamma at The University of Wyoming allege that the trans member makes them “feel uncomfortable” in the sorority house.

Last year, a judge in Wyoming ruled that he could not overturn how the private, voluntary organisation defined a woman and order that she not belong.

The case has since sparked uproar from transgender groups who are fighting for more acceptance in schools, athletics and workplaces.

The appeal will hear arguments from six members of the sorority who challenge trans member, Artemis Langford’s admission.

Women said they felt uncomfortable in the sorority house in Laramie, Wyoming but concerns were ignored by seniors after a vote by the local chapter members.

On Tuesday, attorneys for the six sorority sisters continued to argue that leaders ignored sorority bylaws.

The group disputes that Wyoming US District Court Judge Alan Johnson’s ruling gave too much deference to sorority leaders in allowing them to define a woman under membership requirements.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Gender ideology to be taught as ‘contested belief’ in schools rather than a fact in crackdownFrance blasted for failing to learn from UK’s trans mistakes after feminist authors targetedSex offenders to be BANNED from changing name or gender in bid to tackle loophole

Langford is not included in the appeal and instead, the national Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and its president, Mary Pat Rooney, are the current defendants.

During the first hearing, the group of sorority members alleged that Langford “has, while watching members enter the sorority house, had an erection visible through his leggings. Other times, he has had a pillow in his lap.”

She was also accused of taking photos of others at a slumber party and to have made inappropriate comments towards them.

However, despite the lawsuit portraying Langford as a “sexual predator”, the judge found that claims about her behaviour were a drunken rumour.

“I wish it didn’t matter to me. All the things they said. How they painted me like a mannish freak,” she told the Washington Post.

“Some parts were completely made up. Others were things I remember but in their version was twisted to look weird, gross, sexual.”

A “save sisterhood” rally is due to go ahead outside the courthouse before the hearing.