– Updated at 7:58 p.m. with the action of the committee
About one mile from the State Capitol, the girl hockey tournament from the State High School began on Wednesday.
At the top of the hill, legislators fought on the ice on which should be authorized to participate in the games.
A February 5 presidential decree Prohibited transgender girls and women from competing in the sports of girls and women.
The officials of the Minnesota State High School League did not act on the ordinance immediately, arguing that it violates the law of the State because the State Human Rights Act and the equal protection clause of constitution Prohibit discrimination against anyone in a protected class, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
In a statementThe League said: “The decree requires a 60 -day window for sports associations to meet and act by implementing order. Given the importance of the issue, the League plans to ask the Minnesota general public opinion for an official opinion to obtain advice on the issues concerned. »»
On. On February 12, the Federal Department of Education said that secondary leagues in Minnesota and California will be the subject of an investigation “to ensure that the female athletes of these states were treated with dignity, respect and equality that the Trump administration requires ”.
Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover) sponsors a controversial answer to the question.
As modified,, HF12 is called “preserving sports girls”.
Laurel Audette, a ninth-year student-athlete, testifies before the Policy Committee for the Chamber to support HF12. Sponsored by Rep. Peggy ScottOn the left, the bill would restrict the participation of the female sports team in women determined by genetics and with regard to the reproductive system. (Photo of Michele Jokinen)He declares: “Only students can participate in a sports team or a elementary or secondary sport that a teaching establishment has limited women and girls.”
According to the bill, “a” woman “means a woman as biologically determined by genetics and defined in relation to the reproductive system of an individual.”
This hot button subject was discussed before a foot position only from the Education Policy Committee of the House before Wednesday, after a recreation, it was approved during a 7-6 vote of the party and sent at home.
Among the arguments of supporters, there are the biological differences between the sexes, which can ultimately lead to better results for a person born male and an increase in injuries for a woman; Team spots are taken by a non -biological woman; And the locker room being a place where girls should feel protected.
A mother spoke of a broken wrist suffered by her 11 -year -old daughter who was overthrown by a man.
“I hope that there must no longer be an broken bone to show that it is a broken system,” said Leanna Chambers, who played tennis and was a competitive swimmer in high school. She also expressed her concern that different sexes share a wardrobe.
Kaia Hill was a three-sports high school athlete, a college athlete from two sports, a women’s basketball chief and an assistant high school director.
“My athletic experience showed me something very clearly: boys and girls are different. If it were not true, title IX would not have been necessary in the first place, “she said. “Title IX has given girls the opportunity to have their own teams like boys. Those who were to allow transgender athletes or biological men to play in girls sports refuse to admit the serious consequences that come with this decision. … The girls fought so hard to get there where they are now. If we do not protect the sports of girls now, we annul the progress for which we have fought so hard. »»
Representative Alex Falconer (DFL-Eden Prairie) said the bill would authorize trans discrimination and is prey to abuse.
“Apparently, any parent, coach, person in the stands can call to question someone’s sex, someone’s sexual relations and withdraw from the court,” he said. “… This bill refuses children the possibility of finding their goal, finding their place in schools, refuses to find the team with which they can identify, cause significant mental damage when this group of people is Already faced with disproportionately higher mental health problems leading to the company Idée and suicidal attempts. It is a dangerous bill. … This will lead to discrimination and damage. »»
Representative Julie Greene (DFL-Edina) thinks that there would be problems without any burial sports committee supervising the implementation of the bill. “The Minnesota High School League does not cover primary level students, which seems to be a contradiction in the bill.”
Kat Rohn, Executive Director of Outfront Minnesota, says the bill is an attack on trans women and girls who have been playing sports in the current MSHSL policy for more than a decade without problems.
“When trans children are not allowed to play as they are, they stop participating,” said Rohn. “This bill is one of Trans children, but the misdeeds of the bill will be much more widely.”
– Deputy director / editor -in -chief Mike Cook and assistant editor Lisa Kaczke contributed to this story.