ST. PAUL – Minnesota House Republicans on Monday brought forward a bill they say supports safe and fair competition for girls in school-sanctioned athletics.
House Democrats blocked it, which Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, said leaves the door open for biological males to continue participating in girls sports.
The bill is called the Preserving Girls Sports Act (H.F. 12). By voting it down, Hudson said House Democrats undermined safety and fairness for female athletes, while also contradicting vast popular sentiment; polls show around 80 percent of people agree with the bill’s position.
“What this issue reveals, when we talk about the safety of girls and women, is that people’s feelings about safety are paramount,” said Hudson, a co-author of the bill. “Exactly why we are concerned about safety is a dangerous question to ask Democrats because the answer is clear: There is a fundamental difference between a male and a female. That’s a fact of life Democrats refuse to acknowledge.
“At its core, the debate over this bill is about Democrats gaslighting you into ignoring what you know to be true – denying the existence of girls and women all along. Good thing Minnesotans see what is happening here and will hold House Democrats accountable.”
The Preserving Girls Sports Act specifically states that only female students may participate in school sports restricted on the basis of sex to women or girls. If there is a dispute, a student must present a signed physician’s statement indicating the student’s sex is based solely on the student’s internal and external anatomy, natural occurring level of testosterone, and an analysis of the student’s chromosomes.
Minnesota State High School League record books find significant differences between top scores in the boys and girls divisions. For example, the boys record holder for long jump is roughly 5 feet longer than the girls record holder; there’s a 7-second difference in the 400-meter dash; more than an 11-foot difference in the shot put, and a 32-second difference in the swimming 500-yard freestyle.
Furthermore, Hudson said a simple internet search shows produces numerous articles indicating girls are being physically injured while participating with biological males in female athletics – from concussions to having teeth knocked out. In addition, a study conducted by the United Nations found that female athletes have lost nearly 900 medals worldwide to transgender men that are competing in their events.
“Safety and fairness are important issues in girls sports and even two-thirds of Democrats support that notion, which is the crux of this bill,” Hudson said. “Perceived identity should not be the focus for participation, biological sex should be.”
The floor vote came just hours after a Preserving Girls Sports Act rally took place at the Capitol. Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and girls sports advocate, attended the event.
House Republicans tabled the bill after Democrats voted against it, saving the legislation from defeat and keeping it available for future reconsideration.
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