Despite an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, transgender student-athletes in Minnesota will still be allowed to compete in sports that align with their gender identity, according to state high school sports officials.
Trump’s order, signed on Wednesday, bans transgender girls and women from participating in sports teams that match their gender identity, with the threat of schools losing federal funding or facing legal action if they don’t comply.
However, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) maintains that its policies are governed by state anti-discrimination laws, which protect gender identity. The eligibility of transgender athletes is determined by the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the state constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
DFL Rep. Leigh Finke emphasized that Minnesota’s laws do not exclude transgender individuals from society, highlighting the personal impact of such legal actions on the community.
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in Minnesota have introduced bills reflecting Trump’s executive order, which, if passed, could take effect by July 1. However, the bills face a tough challenge in the DFL-controlled Senate and may struggle in the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority until a special election in March.
The MSHSL has stated it will continue to evaluate state laws alongside the new executive order. Following the executive order, the NCAA also updated its policy, restricting women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth, though NCAA President Charlie Baker noted that the number of transgender athletes in the organization is very small.
