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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
MSHSL Revisits Transgender Athlete Policy
The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) initiated a significant discussion on Thursday about potential changes to its long-standing transgender athlete policy. This marks the first major reconsideration of the policy in more than a decade.
Current Policy and Proposed Changes
Currently, Minnesota high school athletes can participate on teams that correspond with their chosen gender identity. The proposed policy amendment, discussed during a 40-minute session led by MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens, would restrict athletes to teams that match their biological sex assigned at birth. This would be an addition to MSHSL bylaw 101.00, which already states that a student cannot compete if they turn age 20 before the start of their season.
Process for Policy Amendment
Any change to an MSHSL bylaw must go through the representative assembly process, which includes 48 members, some appointed and some elected. If the proposal progresses, it will be discussed further at a November workshop before possibly moving to the representative assembly’s 16 regions. A final vote could occur in May of the following year, meaning any policy update would still be months away.
Perspectives and Legal Considerations
The debate over the transgender athlete policy has attracted attention from both advocates and opponents. A group called "Make It Fair MN" is pressing the MSHSL to adopt new rules, contending that allowing athletes assigned male at birth to play in girls’ sports harms girls and compromises competitive fairness. During the board’s open forum, four out of seven speakers urged the league to change its current policy, claiming it violates Title IX.
The discussion comes amid ongoing political debates, with the Trump administration’s return to the White House in 2024 fueling renewed opposition to transgender athletes’ participation. Legal counsel Kevin Beck noted that the MSHSL is currently involved in two lawsuits related to transgender athletes, and emphasized board members’ obligations to both fiduciary duties and following the law.
State Law and Human Rights Protections
Executive Director Erich Martens has previously noted that any change to the policy would have to comply with Minnesota law. The state’s Human Rights Act, which was updated in 2023, bans discrimination against protected classes, including gender identity. As Martens pointed out earlier this year, state law may limit the board’s ability to make the requested changes.
Ongoing Dialogue and Next Steps
MSHSL Board President Keith Cornell highlighted the quality of the discussion, noting the complexity of the issue and the value of the questions raised. Martens underscored the league’s priority to adhere to both its own policies and state law as the process continues. The issue will remain in focus as elections approach and more detailed discussions take place in the coming months.
Source: startribune.com.
