MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota State High School League has announced its decision to abide by state law rather than a recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump, affirming that transgender athletes will continue to participate in high school sports within the state.
While some other states have indicated potential resistance to the president’s directive, others are taking a more cautious approach and awaiting further developments.
In a communication sent to member schools, the Minnesota organization emphasized that the eligibility of transgender athletes falls under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which provides protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, alongside the state constitution.
“The Minnesota State High School League, like various other youth sports organizations, must adhere to state anti-discrimination laws that forbid discrimination based on gender identity,” the organization stated. “As a result, students are permitted to participate in alignment with their gender identity.”
President Trump signed the executive order recently, which grants federal authorities greater authority to withhold federal funding from organizations that hinder fair athletic opportunities for women and girls by including transgender athletes in competitions. Legal challenges related to the order are anticipated.
In light of Trump’s order, the NCAA has adjusted its guidelines regarding transgender participation, now limiting women’s college sports to those assigned female at birth. Additionally, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, which oversees smaller colleges, implemented a ban on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports this year.
Sawyer Totten, a transgender athlete who participated in cross-country skiing at his high school in Burlington, Vermont, expressed his dismay regarding the NCAA’s rapid response to the order. “My initial reaction is largely sadness and anger,” he conveyed. “Observing the NCAA’s swift alteration of its regulations to align with Trump’s order was disheartening.”
Although the number of transgender athletes at the high school and collegiate levels is relatively limited, the issue gained prominence during Trump’s campaign last year, where he vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports.” NCAA President Charlie Baker, a former governor of Massachusetts, noted that fewer than ten transgender athletes compete in NCAA-regulated sports.
Totten expressed concern, stating, “Trump’s executive order is targeting those athletes. My experience as a transgender athlete in Vermont was largely positive, but experiences will differ depending on the state.” He appreciated that some states are choosing to adhere to their own laws rather than the executive directive.
The California Interscholastic Federation confirmed its compliance with state law, which allows students to participate in school activities and sports aligned with their gender identity, regardless of what is listed on official records. A representative from the organization reiterated their stance in an email on Friday.
In New Jersey, the existing policy clarifies that “in gender-separated classes or sports activities, all students should be permitted to engage in a manner that corresponds with their gender identity.”
In Colorado, where several laws support transgender rights, the High School Activities Association mandates a confidential assessment for transgender athletes regarding their gender assignment. It is required for both the student and their parents to inform the school if the student’s gender identity diverges from their sex assigned at birth.
The New Mexico Activities Association has stated that its policies require participants to compete based on the gender indicated in their birth certificate, though individuals over 18 or parents can amend this documentation. The association affirmed its dedication to following state laws and regulations.
The Illinois State High School Association is currently looking for additional guidance on the matter. Its existing policy allows participation in accordance with an athlete’s gender identity, contingent on applicable federal and state laws. The Executive Director noted their commitment to monitoring changes in legislation or federal guidance that may affect the association’s policies.
Similarly, the Michigan High School Athletic Association is also awaiting clarification regarding potential conflicts between the executive order and their state’s civil rights regulations.
The National Federation of State High School Associations maintains that the governance of transgender athletes in sports is determined on a state-by-state basis, supporting member associations in their endeavors to develop inclusive policies.
Totten, who began cross-country skiing at the age of two, shared the impact of his high school team on his life, stating, “It provided me with a sense of belonging and a space where I could truly be myself.”
He expressed gratitude for the support he received from coaches and teammates throughout his journey as a transgender male athlete, emphasizing that experiences can vary widely among individuals within the transgender community.
