Minnesota House Fails to Pass Bill Banning Trans Athletes from Participating in Women's Sports

The Minnesota House narrowly failed to pass the controversial "Preserving Girls’ Sports Act" on Monday, leaving the state at the center of an ongoing national debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports. The bill, which required 68 votes to clear the House, fell short by just one vote, with 67 in favor and 66 against.

The proposed legislation aimed to restrict participation in women’s and girls’ sports at elementary and secondary school levels to individuals identified as female based on biological determination. The bill’s language defined "female" as determined genetically and by reproductive systems. Supporters rallied around the Capitol ahead of the vote, while opponents also gathered to voice their objections.

Republican state Rep. Peggy Scott, who sponsored the bill, argued passionately for its passage, stating, "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. That is not safe and that is not fair to our girls." Fellow Republican Rep. Marion Rarick echoed similar sentiments, citing concerns over fairness and referencing a 2024 United Nations report on violence against women in sports.

Opponents of the bill, however, countered that it perpetuates discrimination against transgender youth. Democratic state Rep. Brion Curran, chair of the Minnesota Queer Legislators Caucus, declared, "All children deserve to play. We will not be complacent with this hateful and dangerous anti-trans rhetoric." Meanwhile, Rep. Liish Kozlowski criticized the bill as "a measure to bully trans girls and non-binary kids."

Adding to the drama, the Minnesota Senate also voted on a similar measure, but it failed to garner the 60 votes needed to advance. This mirrored the failure of a broader movement at the federal level, despite an executive order last month by former President Trump directing the Education Department to enforce Title IX protections against transgender inclusion in women’s sports.

The NCAA, under pressure after Trump’s executive order, revised its own policy on transgender athletes, though the move has been met with criticism. Meanwhile, the Minnesota State High School League announced it would continue allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls’ sports, citing the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the state constitution as justification.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a warning late last month, urging Minnesota to reconsider. Bondi’s letter stated that the Department of Education has launched a Title IX investigation into the Minnesota State High School League. "If the investigation shows that relevant Minnesota entities are indeed denying girls an equal opportunity to participate in sports by requiring them to compete against boys, the Department of Justice stands ready to take all appropriate action to enforce federal law," the letter read.

Democratic state Rep. Leigh Finke pushed back against the idea that transgender athletes posed any real issue. "Minnesota has been inclusive for 10 years. We’ve had zero problems," Finke said. "But we are doing this for political reasons. And when you lie about a community for long enough, people will believe it." On the other hand, Republican Rep. Peggy Bennett insisted the bill was about "fairness, safety, and preserving girls’ sports in Minnesota."

Even if the bill had passed in the Minnesota House, it was unlikely to become law, as Governor Tim Walz, a vocal advocate for transgender rights, had signaled his intention to veto it.