Six members of a University of Wyoming sorority are challenging the admission of a transgender woman into their local chapter in a lawsuit set to be heard by a U.S. appeals court in Denver. The lawsuit was initially thrown out by a judge in Wyoming ruling that the private, voluntary organization has the authority to define membership rules. However, the members argue that the sorority’s bylaws do not allow transgender women to be admitted.
Artemis Langford’s admission into the sorority caused discomfort among the members, but sorority leaders decided to overrule their concerns after a local chapter vote. Despite the ruling in favor of the sorority and Langford, the six members continue to argue that sorority leaders have not followed their own bylaws.
The appeal has not included Langford and is focused on challenging the authority of the sorority leaders to define who can be a member. The national Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and its president, Mary Pat Rooney, are the current defendants in the case.
The case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding transgender acceptance in various aspects of society, including schools and organizations. As tensions rise, sorority sisters, their attorney, and other supporters plan to rally outside the courthouse in an effort to defend what they believe is the sanctity of sisterhood.
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