Minnesota AG Sued Over Trans Athletes in Girls’ Sports Amid Softball Controversy

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is under fire in a lawsuit accusing the state of sidelining female athletes by allowing transgender players to compete in girls' sports. The controversy centers on a transgender softball pitcher who has dominated the season, racking up 14 consecutive wins and All-State honors. The lawsuit, filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) on behalf of Female Athletes United and three anonymous high school softball players, claims Minnesota’s policies violate Title IX, undermining fairness and safety for girls in sports.

Suzanne Beecher, ADF’s legal counsel, didn’t mince words: 'Minnesota is telling girls their hard work isn’t enough. The state prioritizes males over females, stripping away equal opportunities.' The defendants include Ellison, Erich Martens of the Minnesota State High School League, Rebecca Lucero of the Department of Human Rights, and Willie Jett, Commissioner of Education.

Ellison, however, stands firm. 'Sports build friendships, teamwork, and belonging,' he said in a statement. 'Excluding trans students, who already face bullying, is wrong. I’ll defend their right to play.' Meanwhile, the state’s defiance of President Trump’s 'Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports' executive order has escalated tensions. Ellison preemptively sued the Trump administration after the Department of Justice threatened legal action, vowing not to 'let vulnerable kids be demonized.'

The White House fired back, with spokesperson Harrison Fields calling Ellison’s lawsuit 'creepy and anti-woman.' Former Vikings player Jack Brewer also weighed in, warning that allowing biological males in girls’ softball risks safety and fairness, especially as the sport gains prominence. Minnesota’s legislature recently failed to pass the Preserving Girls’ Sports Act, which would have restricted girls’ sports to female students, leaving the debate unresolved.

As the legal battle unfolds, Minnesota’s high school sports scene remains a flashpoint, reflecting broader national tensions over transgender inclusion in athletics.