Federal Court Permanently Dismisses Lawsuit to Remove Transgender Woman from University of Wyoming Sorority

A federal court has dismissed for good a lawsuit that aimed to remove Artemis Langford, a transgender woman, from the University of Wyoming’s Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, marking a significant legal victory for transgender inclusion in campus organizations. The case, which has unfolded over two years, ended with the court’s decision to dismiss the complaint “with prejudice,” ensuring it cannot be brought again in federal court .

The controversy began in fall 2022 when several members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority’s University of Wyoming chapter filed a lawsuit challenging the national organization’s decision to admit Langford, a transgender woman, as a sister. The plaintiffs sought not only Langford’s removal but also a nationwide prohibition on transgender women joining the sorority .

The original lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson, who found that the allegations against Langford were “irrelevant and unsubstantiated.” The plaintiffs appealed to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which declined to overturn the lower court’s decision .

After months of legal maneuvering and public scrutiny, the plaintiffs refiled their lawsuit without naming Langford as a defendant and deleted the original allegations against her. Langford, meanwhile, graduated from the university in May 2025 and has since moved on from the campus that had become a focal point in the national conversation about transgender rights .

The case drew national attention, particularly as it intersected with broader political and legal debates over the rights of transgender people in educational settings. The Trump administration’s Department of Education announced an investigation into the University of Wyoming’s alleged Title IX violations related to Kappa Kappa Gamma’s inclusion of a transgender woman .

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities. However, it includes a specific exemption for the membership practices of social fraternities and sororities. Legal experts have noted that the Department of Education’s authority to enforce Title IX in this context is unclear because social sororities are generally considered outside the law’s reach regarding membership criteria .

The University of Wyoming has consistently maintained that it does not control decisions about sorority and fraternity membership and has not been a participant in the litigation .

The dismissal of the lawsuit has been welcomed by LGBTQ+ advocates as a victory for transgender inclusion and the right of private organizations to determine their own membership. Rachel Berkness, Langford’s attorney, stated, “As she has maintained all along, there was no reason for the plaintiffs to sue Ms. Langford or to add inflammatory allegations about her to their complaint” . Berkness further emphasized that Langford had been thrust into the national spotlight by litigation that was ultimately “a vehicle through which to publicize allegations” about her .

Advocates see the court’s decision as an affirmation that transgender women have the right to participate fully in student life, including membership in social organizations. “This ruling is a major step forward in recognizing the dignity and rights of transgender people on campus,” said an unnamed spokesperson for a national LGBTQ+ rights organization .

The case has also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by transgender students in higher education. Despite the legal victory, Langford’s experience reflects the broader reality that transgender people often encounter opposition and public scrutiny when asserting their rights to inclusion and equality .

While the lawsuit against Langford and Kappa Kappa Gamma has been laid to rest, the debate over transgender inclusion in educational and social institutions is far from over. The Department of Education’s investigation, announced during Pride Month, signals that questions about the intersection of Title IX, gender identity, and campus life will remain live issues in the coming years .

For now, the federal court’s decision stands as a clear affirmation that attempts to use the judiciary to exclude transgender people from campus organizations have, at least in this instance, been soundly rejected. Langford, who participated in Laramie PrideFest’s candlelight vigil for Matthew Shepard and has been active in campus life, is moving forward with her life and career .

As the LGBTQ+ community continues to advocate for equality and inclusion, the outcome of this case serves both as a precedent and a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance in defending the rights of marginalized communities.