Minnesota – The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Tuesday that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) violated Title IX by allowing male athletes to compete in female sports and enter private female spaces.
Federal Investigation and Findings
The investigation into MSHSL began in February, after officials raised concerns about the league’s policies that allowed student-athletes to compete in sports based on their “gender identity”, rather than biological sex.
Federal authorities reported that over several years, MDE and MSHSL permitted male athletes to participate on female teams, including:
- Alpine ski team
- Nordic skiing team
- Lacrosse team
- Track and field team
- Volleyball team
- Softball team
HHS OCR Director Paula Stannard said:
“Minnesota permits male athletes to compete in sports designated for females, which denies females the equal opportunities under Title IX that they deserve in athletic competition. Minnesota fails to recognize the fundamental biological differences between males and females — differences that justify single-sex teams and ensure fair and safe competition for girls and women.”
Federal Action and Executive Context
The announcement aligns with former President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which states that federal funding can be cut from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, citing Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said, “Once an education program or entity takes federal funds, Title IX compliance becomes mandatory. The federal government will hold Minnesota accountable until it recognizes that fact.”
Since taking office, the administration has investigated, frozen funding, and sued various school districts, education departments, and universities over alleged violations of federal law, according to the Center Square.
Required Resolution Steps
The federal agencies have given MDE and MSHSL 10 days to resolve the claims. The Resolution Agreement requires several key actions:
- Rescind or revise guidance allowing males to compete in girls’ sports to comply with Title IX and federal law.
- Issue statewide notice to all federally funded interscholastic programs mandating strict Title IX compliance, including separate athletics and intimate facilities based on biological sex.
- Require adoption of biology-based definitions of “male” and “female” and warn that non-compliance could jeopardize federal funding.
- Submit updated Title IX training and procedures for federal review and conduct approved training for MDE and MSHSL personnel.
- Restore female athletes’ records and titles misappropriated by male athletes and send each female an apology letter from the State of Minnesota.
- Require annual certification from each school and MSHSL confirming compliance with Title IX.
Implications
The ruling reinforces that federal law preempts state policy when conflicts arise and emphasizes the federal government’s commitment to protecting the rights of female students in athletics.
Do you think states should strictly follow federal Title IX rules regarding gender and sports, or should local policies have more flexibility? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
