logo
Minnesota's bill to ban transgender athletes fails

Minnesota's bill to ban transgender athletes fails

Yahoo04-03-2025
The Brief
Debate on a bill to ban transgender athletes from Minnesota school sports started late Monday afternoon, and has now failed after not getting 68 votes to pass the bill.
GOP authors believe allowing it opens girls up to losing their spot on a team or even dangerous physical interactions, and it's just unfair.
DFL opponents say it's an unnecessary and cruel distraction that ignores established law and demonizes the small population of transgender people.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota House spent Monday in the longest debate of the year over a GOP bill to block transgender athletes in girls' sports, which failed Monday evening.
What they're saying
The bill to ban transgender athletes from girls' sports in Minnesota failed in the Minnesota House. The House voted 67-66 in favor of the bill, but a 68-vote majority is needed to pass a bill in the House.
Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman released the following statement:
"People of all ages deserve to be loved, accepted, and valued for who they are. At its core, this bill is about how we treat children, and it would allow children to be bullied by adults and other children for not meeting a particular definition of femininity. While Republicans push cruel, divisive bills like this, they ignore the real challenges Minnesotans are facing — like the rising costs of childcare, health care, and housing. Instead of solving problems, they're fueling division."
Author of the bill, Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover) released the following statement:
"There are fairness issues and there are safety issues involving girls' sports teams. When it comes to boys' and girls' athletics, how you identify shouldn't matter; how you were born should."
The celebrity case
It's a hot-button issue across the country and the vote drew a celebrity spokesperson to support the bill.
Riley Gaines took center stage in the debate before the debate.
A crowd at the Capitol heard from the former Kentucky swimmer who rose to fame after she tied for fifth place with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.
A crowd also heard support for trans athletes from another 2022 college swimmer from here in Minnesota.
"I believe in preserving female sports teams," said Rep. Dawn Gillman, (R-Meeker).
For at least ten years, transgender kids in Minnesota have been allowed to participate in sports based on their gender identity.
Republicans want that to end, and they brought Gaines to the Capitol for a rally to boost their bill.
"Minnesotans and Americans alike reject this absurdity," said the former swimmer. "We embrace the America First agenda, and we reject this absurdity."
Challenging gender
The bill debated Monday on the House floor would have banned transgender girls from school sports.
If challenged, a female athlete would have to prove their gender. The House bill no longer describes how that would happen, leaving it up to the schools, but it originally matched a corresponding Senate bill requiring a doctor's note after an examination of the athlete's anatomy, hormone levels and chromosomes.
Authors told FOX 9 they're not aware of any transgender athletes competing now in Minnesota.
But they believe allowing it opens girls up to losing their spot on a team or even dangerous physical interactions, and it's just unfair.
Allowing access
Not all female athletes see it the same way.
"Athletics offers so many benefits, from physical to mental health," said Kara Cowell, another former NCAA championship swimmer. "To educational success and self-confidence. Trans women and girls deserve the same access to these benefits."
Transgender advocates point out that not even 10 of the 520,000 college athletes last year were transgender and none of them was a superstar.
They point to research showing hormone therapy seems to remove any physical advantages.
And they accuse Republicans of creating a distraction by making a boogeyman out of transgender athletes.
"This bill is not about protecting fairness in sports or upholding integrity," said transgender teacher and coach Maggie Dayvis. "Instead, it is a calculated effort to sow division, to amplify fear, and to distract from the larger issue of defunding education."
A similar Senate will was also rejected by the DFL majority on Monday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Federal judge partially blocks law banning adults from helping minors get out-of-state abortions
Federal judge partially blocks law banning adults from helping minors get out-of-state abortions

Fox News

time18 minutes ago

  • Fox News

Federal judge partially blocks law banning adults from helping minors get out-of-state abortions

A federal judge has blocked a portion of a Tennessee law that made it a crime for adults to help minors obtain out-of-state abortions without parental consent. Known for prohibiting "abortion trafficking of a minor," the law, enacted in 2024 by Republican Gov. Bill Lee, with support from the GOP-controlled legislature, criminalizes certain behavior toward pregnant, unemancipated minors by adults who are not their parents or legal guardians who help them receive abortions – even if the abortion is legal in another state. U.S. Circuit Judge Julia Gibbons, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, took issue with the law's "recruitment provision," which criminalizes giving information to minors about how to receive an abortion out of state or helping minors make travel plans. In a summary judgment Friday, Gibbons agreed the provision violates the First Amendment because it "prohibits speech encouraging lawful abortion while allowing speech discouraging lawful abortion." "That is impermissible viewpoint discrimination, which the First Amendment rarely tolerates – and does not tolerate here," Gibbons, who sits on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, wrote. Gibbons permanently blocked enforcement of the provision banning encouraging a minor to seek a legal out-of-state abortion. "The recruitment provision targets speech because of its message – that abortion is safe, common and normal – and available in certain states – and is presumptively unconstitutional," the judge added. Gibbons noted that she was brought in to hear this lower court case after four judges from the Middle District of Tennessee recused themselves. If Tennessee appeals the decision, the case will advance to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The Tennessee attorney general has already appealed a November decision by U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger that temporarily blocked the recruitment provision. That appeal remains pending in the Sixth Circuit Court. The case was brought by Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn, who is a licensed social worker, and Rachel Welty, a Nashville attorney and pro-abortion advocate. "Because plaintiffs wish to speak about legal abortions and seek to help minors obtain legal, out-of-state abortions, their intended speech is protected under the First Amendment," Gibbons wrote. In response to the decision, Welty and Behn's lead counsel, Daniel A. Horwitz, said Gibbons' "thoughtful and well-reasoned opinion protects the right of all Tennesseans to share truthful information about abortion without fear that crusading prosecutors will try to punish them criminally for doing so." "It also affirms that the government has no authority to enact overbroad laws that criminalize pure speech based on the government's disagreement with a speaker's point of view," he added in a statement. "This is a major victory for Ms. Welty, Representative Behn, and all Tennesseans who believe that the government has no right to prosecute citizens for sharing truthful information." In the final decision, Gibbons, however, rejected the plaintiffs' claims that the law is too vague to be constitutional under the Due Process Clause. The judge sided with the state on that matter, saying the law is sufficiently specific in what behavior is forbidden. Gibbons did not block portions of the law criminalizing physically transporting minors across state lines to receive an abortion or harboring a minor for the purpose of helping them receive an abortion. "The court grants summary judgment for the plaintiffs on their free speech claims and enjoins enforcement of the recruiting prong of the statute," Gibbons wrote. "The statute is not, however, void for vagueness. The court therefore grants summary judgment for defendants on plaintiff's vagueness claim." The law does not apply to the minor's parent or legal guardian, licensed media providers acting in emergency situations, or law enforcement acting within official duties. Violations constitute a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,500. The statute provides that violators "may be held liable in a civil action for the wrongful death of an unborn child who was aborted." After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Tennessee enforced a "trigger law," effectively banning abortions in most cases, with limited exceptions.

Top NY Dems ‘freaking out' over ‘absolute insanity' of Mamdani taking over NYC, Mike Lawler says
Top NY Dems ‘freaking out' over ‘absolute insanity' of Mamdani taking over NYC, Mike Lawler says

New York Post

time19 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Top NY Dems ‘freaking out' over ‘absolute insanity' of Mamdani taking over NYC, Mike Lawler says

Hudson Valley Rep. Mike Lawler believes that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other top New York Democrats are 'freaking out' over socialist Zohran Mamdani's victory in the mayoral primary. Lawler (R-NY) said he believes reporting from journalist Mark Halperin that Jeffries (D-NY) quietly feels that if Mamdani becomes mayor, Democrats won't be able to take back control of the House. 'I think that's right,' Lawler told 'Fox & Friends' Wednesday when asked about Halperin's report. 'I think they are betwixt and between. You see Kathy Hochul, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries freaking out about the prospects of having a Marxist lead the financial capital of the world.' 'They understand this is a disaster, not only for Democrats, but for the country.' Halperin had claimed this week that 'Hakeem Jeffries strongly believes that if Mamdani wins, he [Jeffries] can't win the majority' and cited 'people who've spoken directly with the leader.' 3 House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has refrained from endorsing Zohran Mamdani. AP 3 Rep. Mike Lawler announced Wednesday that he won't run for governor. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Spokespeople for Jeffries have called that report 'patently false.' So far, Jeffries has declined to endorse Mamdani, who once compared the minority leader to notorious segregationist George Wallace and questioned his progressive bona fides. The two Democrats met in person last week and Jeffries plans to have another confab with Mamdani after he returns from his marriage celebration in Uganda. Lawler, who announced Wednesday that he will vie for his swing seat again in 2026 rather than challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul, gloated over the predicament mainstream Democrats face. 'This is absolute insanity to have somebody who says that he wants to seize the means of production, that he wants to ban private property ownership, that he wants to freeze the rent, that he wants free bussing and mass transit, and he wants government-run grocery stores,' he said of Mamdani. 'They understand this is a disaster in the suburban districts like mine that determine the outcome of control of Congress, and that's why they haven't yet endorsed him. But at the same token, they can't run too far away from him.' 3 Zohran Mamdani's shock victory has rocked the Democratic Party in New York. Getty Images Jeffries has been crusading to flip control of the House, where Republicans have a threadbare 219 to 212-seat majority. Historically, the party in control of the White House loses a chunk of House seats during the midterms. This has been the trend in every midterm election since 1938, with two main exceptions: 1998 and 2002. Republicans are hoping that other factors, such as Mamdani, could change that dynamic. Mamdani is the clear favorite to become mayor of the Big Apple, but he still must win a general election, though some polls show a tightening race.

The Hill's Headlines - July 23, 2025
The Hill's Headlines - July 23, 2025

The Hill

time19 minutes ago

  • The Hill

The Hill's Headlines - July 23, 2025

ADMINISTRATION President Trump will reveal 'AI Action Plan' shaped by his Silicon Valley supporters HOUSE The House will end its session early as Republicans clash over Jeffrey Epstein vote BUSINESS The White House says Japan will face %15 tariff rate on goods as part of trade agreement CAMPAIGN Rep. Mike Lawler (R) will run for reelection to the House, passing up on NY governor bid IN THE NEWS Venus Williams wins a doubles match in D.C. in her first tournament in more than year

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store