FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Gavin Miller
gavin.miller@house.mn.gov
Minnesota House Democrats Vote Against Preserving Girls’ Sports Act
St. Paul - [03/06/25] – On Monday this week, Minnesota House legislators convened to vote on the Preserving Girls' Sports Act, aimed at ensuring the safety and fairness of girls' athletics. The bill would have made clear that only biological females could participate on girls' sports teams. This addresses the concerns about competitive fairness, safety, and opportunity for girls.
Unfortunately, House Democrats voted unanimously against this bill, allowing biological males to compete in girls' athletic programs, a decision that Representative Bakeberg (R-Prior Lake, Jordan, Shakopee) argues undermines fairness and threatens the integrity of women's sports.
“Most parents and communities support keeping girls’ sports female-only for fairness and safety. A New York Times poll last month found that 79% of Americans, and 67% of Democrats specifically, support limiting girls sports to biological females,” said Bakeberg.
HF 12, the Preserving Girls' Sports Act, aimed to prohibit males from competing in sports designated for girls and women, ensuring that female athletes would have fair and equal opportunities in sports.
“Minnesotans are looking for commonsense lawmakers who pass commonsense legislation – and that’s what we’re bringing to the floor,” Bakeberg said. “Girls should not be forced to compete against biological males, this clearly demonstrates a lack of respect for the female athletes who’ve sacrificed so much to win, to earn scholarships, and to inspire the next generation of young women.”
The floor vote followed a rally earlier in the day on the Capitol steps, which featured Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and advocate for fair female athletics, who has been outspoken about the need to protect women’s sports from unfair competition. Gaines and other speakers, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding opportunities for female athletes.
After the vote, Republicans tabled the bill for future consideration, signaling ongoing efforts to bring attention to the issue and continue the fight for fairness in women’s sports.