Melania Trump voices support for gay rights in rare political statement following Supreme Court ruling

First Lady Melania Trump voiced her support for the LGBT community in a rare public statement on Tuesday, following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold states’ ban on transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports in schools.

She began her post on X by quoting her own memoir, in which she said she ‘fully’ supports the ‘LGBTQIA+ community,’ but emphasizes that society ‘must also ensure that our female athletes are protected and respected.’

‘The US Supreme Court has now legally confirmed this opinion,’ she noted, before quoting the Supreme Court’s majority opinion in which the justices ruled the bans on transgender athletes do not go against Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

‘America, we can support the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and also protect opportunities for female athletes,’ the first lady concluded. ‘Respect everyone and keep girls’ sports fair. 

‘Both ideals are essential.’

Tuesday’s ruling overturned decisions by lower courts that sided with trans students who challenged bans in Idaho and West Virginia as violating the Constitution and a federal anti-discrimination law.

West Virginia’s ban dates to April 2021, but was blocked three years later by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The First Lady quoted from her own memoir as she said she ‘fully’ supports the ‘LGBTQIA+ community’

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.