The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services have determined that Minnesota agencies have violated Title IX by allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports.
The finding comes after a two-month investigation into state policies, launched following the participation of a transgender-identifying pitcher on a girls’ high school softball team in the state championship. According to Fox News, a press release from the Department of Education cited the pitcher’s dominance during the tournament, stating, “the male pitcher overpowered female athletes during five consecutive matches, only giving up one earned run over the course of 35 innings and striking out 27 female batters.” Officials also cited other instances of biological males competing in girls’ sports.
“For too many years, Minnesota’s political leadership has found itself on the wrong side of justice, common sense, and the American people. Now the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League find themselves on the wrong side of Title IX by allowing males to compete in women’s sports,” said DOE Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor.
“The Trump Administration will not allow Minnesota or any other state to sacrifice the safety, fair treatment, and dignity of its female students to appease the false idols of radical gender ideology,” he continued. “Once an education program or entity takes federal funds, Title IX compliance becomes mandatory. And the federal government will hold Minnesota accountable until it recognizes that fact.”
The Trump administration has given Minnesota ten days to revise its policies to comply with Title IX and with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump aimed at keeping men out of women’s sports. If the Minnesota Department of Education does not comply, the matter will be referred to the Department of Justice. The Trump DOJ has already filed lawsuits against other states over transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
