Overview

• U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson dismissed the suit with prejudice, ruling the court will not interfere with Kappa Kappa Gamma’s membership decisions.
• The opinion found Kappa’s bylaws do not narrowly define “woman” and cited national guidance recognizing members who identify as women, writing, “we are required to leave Kappa alone.”
• Johnson rejected reliance on President Trump’s executive-branch definition of “woman,” stating it applies only to federal policy and is not relevant to private contracts.
• The case had been dismissed once before in 2023 and returned on procedural grounds; Johnson now concluded further amendments would be futile.
• Plaintiffs may appeal to the 10th Circuit, and the judge noted a bylaw change at Kappa’s convention as another avenue outside the courts.