Minnesota House Fails to Pass Bill Restricting Girls’ Sports to Biological Females Amidst Heated Debate
A contentious bill aimed at defining and preserving girls’ sports in Minnesota, known as the "Preserving Girls’ Sports Act," narrowly failed to pass in the state’s House of Representatives. The bill, HF12, which sought to limit participation in female sports teams to biological females, fell just one vote short of the required 68 votes, resulting in a 67-66 outcome. The vote followed weeks after a federal executive order issued by then-President Donald Trump addressing transgender athletes in sports.
The proposed legislation stipulated that "only female students may participate in an elementary or secondary school level athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted to women and girls." The bill explicitly defined "female" as determined by genetics and an individual’s reproductive system.
The vote took place against a backdrop of passionate demonstrations, with supporters and opponents of the bill gathering at the state Capitol. The Minnesota House engaged in what was described as "emotional discussion" before the final vote was cast. Republican state Representative Peggy Scott, the bill’s sponsor, was among those who spoke, emphasizing the need to protect female athletes.
"We cannot allow our girls to be vulnerable to losing their spot on the team, being on the podium, or to injury by a male teammate or male competitor," Scott stated. "That is not safe and that is not fair to our girls."
Republican state Representative Marion Rarick echoed these sentiments, citing a 2024 United Nations report on violence against women and girls to underscore the potential for harm. "We have women and girls around the world that are so afraid of competing with biological men that they are dropping out of sports," Rarick said.
However, opponents of the bill argued that it would lead to discrimination against transgender individuals. Democratic state Representative Brion Curran, chair of the Minnesota Queer Legislators Caucus, asserted, "All children deserve to play. We will not be complacent with this hateful and dangerous anti-trans rhetoric."
Democratic state Representative Liish Kozlowski characterized the act as "a bill to bully trans girls and non-binary kids."
Simultaneously, the state Senate considered a similar bill banning transgender athletes from women’s sports. However, that bill also failed to garner the necessary 60 votes, indicating that at least seven Democrats did not support the measure.
The broader context surrounding this legislative debate includes Trump’s executive order, which directed the Education Department to inform schools and colleges that allowing transgender females to compete with girls and women violates Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs. The NCAA subsequently revised its policy on transgender athletes, though the revision has faced criticism.
Despite the executive order, the Minnesota State High School League announced that it would continue to allow transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports, citing the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the state constitution as grounds for their eligibility.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a warning letter regarding the potential consequences of not passing the "Preserving Girls’ Sports Act." Bondi’s letter stated that the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights had initiated a Title IX investigation into the Minnesota State High School League.
"If the Department of Education’s investigation shows that relevant Minnesota entities are indeed denying girls an equal opportunity to participate in sports and athletic events by requiring them to compete against boys, the Department of Justice stands ready to take all appropriate action to enforce federal law," Bondi wrote.
Democratic state Representative Leigh Finke dismissed the notion that a transgender athlete issue exists in Minnesota, stating, "Minnesota has been inclusive for 10 years. We’ve had zero problems, but we are doing this for political reasons. And when you lie about a community for long enough, people will believe it."
Republican state Representative Peggy Bennett presented a contrasting perspective, emphasizing the principles of fairness, safety, and the preservation of girls’ sports.
Even if the bill had passed in the House, it was anticipated that Governor Tim Walz, a strong advocate for transgender rights, would veto the legislation. The bill’s failure to pass underscores the deep divisions and complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding the issue of transgender athletes in sports. The debate is likely to continue, with potential legal challenges and ongoing discussions about how to balance inclusivity with concerns about fairness and safety in athletic competition.
