Minnesota School Board Members and Candidates Come Out Against Attempts to Exclude Trans Youth Participation in Sports

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Commissioner Willie Jett
Minnesota Department of Education

Brent Schimek, Board President
Erich Martens, Executive Director
Minnesota State High School League

Keith Ellison
Office of Minnesota Attorney General

CC:
Governor Tim Walz

CC Minnesota Legislators

Letter of Support for Transgender Inclusion in School Sports and Compliance with both Minnesota and Federal Law

We, the undersigned school board members and school board candidates across the State of Minnesota, affirm our unwavering support for the full inclusion of transgender and nonbinary students in school athletics. Our commitment is grounded in both our responsibility to create safe, equitable learning environments and in clear legal protections under federal and state law.

Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, schools that receive federal funding are prohibited from discrimination “on the basis of sex.” Federal courts across the country have found that Title IX protects transgender students from discrimination in education. In addition, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County made clear that discrimination against transgender individuals constitutes sex discrimination under federal civil rights law.

Minnesota law provides additional, explicit protections. The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) prohibits discrimination in education based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which includes transgender students. The Minnesota Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law and the right to education, reinforcing that schools must treat all students, including transgender students, fairly and without discrimination. The Safe and Supportive Schools Act requires schools to adopt and enforce policies to prevent bullying and harassment—including on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. These protections are long-standing and firmly rooted in Minnesota law.

Minnesota has also been a leader in ensuring fair participation for transgender students in school athletics. In 2014, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) adopted a trans-inclusive participation policy to ensure transgender students have the opportunity to compete consistent with their gender identity. This policy reflects Minnesota’s values of fairness, inclusion, and respect for all students. We believe all students benefit from inclusive policies. In fact, Minnesota, which has had a trans-inclusive sports policy for over a decade now, is a national leader in girls’ high school sports participation.

Now, the current federal administration is threatening to withhold funding from Minnesota schools if the state does not abandon these inclusive policies and legal protections. Such threats put school districts in an untenable position—pressuring them to act against both state and federal law and their legal obligation to protect all students from discrimination. Complying with these demands would not only harm transgender students, it would also expose districts to legal liability under Minnesota law.

Every student, including transgender and nonbinary students, deserves the opportunity to participate, belong, and thrive in a welcoming and equitable environment. Participation in athletics is a vital part of the educational experience, fostering leadership, teamwork, health, and belonging. Excluding transgender students from school athletics undermines these educational goals and violates both federal and Minnesota legal protections.

We call on state leaders, athletic associations, and policymakers to reject discriminatory efforts that undermine these legal protections and to affirm transgender students’ right to fully participate in school sports.

Together, we stand for inclusion, equality, and a future where every student athlete is supported and celebrated for who they are.

Sincerely,

Ellie J Krug (Director, Eastern Carver County Schools)
Jessica Schwinn (School Board Member, Centennial ISD 12)
Jen Westmoreland (School Board Director, Hopkins Public Schools)
Rachel Hartland (Treasurer, Hopkins Public Schools)
Sara Wilhelm Garbers (Hopkins School Board Candidate)
Tim Molepske (Hopkins School Board Candidate)
Greta Callahan (Minneapolis Public Schools, District 6 Director)
Patrick Baldwin (Saint Louis Park School Board Candidate)
Missy Morken (Saint Louis Park School Board Candidate)
Virginia Mancini (Vice Chair, St. Louis Park)
Uriah Ward (Vice Chair, Saint Paul Public Schools)
Erin Stojan Ruccolo (Board Member, St Paul Public Schools)
Sarah Davis (Board Member, St Louis Park Public Schools)
Taylor Williams (Board Director, St. Louis Park Public Schools)
Anne Casey (Board Member, St. Louis Park School Board)
C. Colin Cox (Chair, St. Louis Park Public Schools)
Chauntyll Allen (Board Member, St Paul Public Schools)
Kelsey Dawson (Board Member, Osseo Area Schools)
Erica Valliant (School Board Director, St Paul Public Schools)
Halla Henderson (School Board Chair, St Paul Public Schools)
Kim Humann (Chair, Special School District 6 – South St. Paul)
Keith Tate (School Board Member, Osseo Area Schools)
Zhiming Zhao (School Board Director, Hopkins Public Schools)
Susie Kaufman (School Board Candidate, Saint Louis Park Public Schools)
Meta Webb (School Board Candidate, St Louis Park Public Schools)
Thomas Brooks (School Board Member, Osseo Area Schools)
Monica Weber (Board Member, South St Paul Public Schools)
Steve Vigesaa (Board member, Fergus Falls)
Jeney Christensen (School Board Member & Treasurer, Fergus Falls)
Kenneth Wutoh (Director, Robbinsdale School Board 281)
Paul Cumings (South St. Paul School Board Member)
Crystal Brakke (Board Member, Intermediate District 287)
Caroline Long (Vice Chair, Robbinsdale School Board)
Johanna Hyman (School Board Candidate for Hopkins Schools)
Eric Mandel (School Board Candidate for Hopkins Schools)

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