SAINT PAUL, Minn. – A Minnesota House committee approves a bill to ban transgender girls from playing sports in Minnesota.
About two dozen people made their voices heard during the Education Policy Committee meeting Wednesday night. Supporters have concerns there would be an unfair physical advantage. Opponents say transgender athletes have been playing sports without any issues for more than 10 years.
The legislation is not expected to pass the DFL controlled Senate.
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating into the Minnesota State High School League after it announced it will allow athletes to compete in sports based on their gender identity despite President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender girls from competing.
“It is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities,” and to take “all appropriate action to affirmatively protect all-female athletic opportunities and all-female locker rooms and thereby provide the equal opportunity guaranteed by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972,” The Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports Act says.
“In Minnesota, participation and eligibility of transgender student-athletes is determined by state law, through the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Minnesota Constitution. The Minnesota State High School League, similar to other youth sports organizations, is subject to state anti-discrimination laws, which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. Therefore, students in Minnesota are allowed to participate consistent with their gender identity. League Member Schools have done excellent work in respecting students and their individual situations as they determine their participation and eligibility within interscholastic sports,” MSHSL said in a statement.
