On this segment of The Morning Update, host Jeff Chidester speaks with Allie Coghan, Independent Women Ambassador and co-plaintiff in the ongoing federal lawsuit Holtmeier v. Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Following oral arguments before the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, Allie details her fight alongside fellow sorority sisters to uphold the historical, single-sex mission of Kappa Kappa Gamma after the University of Wyoming chapter admitted a biological male student in 2022.
They discuss the broader implications of the lawsuit, the legal protections provided to single-sex spaces under Title IX, and why protecting single-sex organizations is vital for young women across the nation.
Case Summary & Key Background
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The Controversy (Fall 2022): The University of Wyoming chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma admitted a male student identifying as a woman following an irregular voting procedure that violated standard organization rules.
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The Initial Lawsuit (2023): Six sorority members filed a suit alleging that national leadership violated governing bylaws and infringed upon the single-sex environment promised to female members.
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Legal Escalation & Appeal (2025–2026): After an initial dismissal focused on the rights of voluntary associations to interpret their own rules, the plaintiffs refiled (Holtmeier v. Kappa Kappa Gamma) and appealed to the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
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Core Arguments Links:
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Independent Women Press Release: Highlights the movement surrounding the Tenth Circuit oral arguments, emphasizing that national leadership cannot arbitrarily redefine “woman” or override the organization’s charter and founding purpose to eliminate female-only spaces.
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Daily Wire Op-Ed by Allie Coghan: Coghan details the personal toll on chapter members, the erosion of privacy and safety in living spaces, and why defending single-sex sororities is critical to preserving female leadership, community, and equal protection under Title IX.
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