On October 22, 2025, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a historic, unanimous decision in Cooper v. USA Powerlifting. This ruling not only powerfully asserted the rights of transgender athletes to fully participate in sports, it explicitly affirmed transgender Minnesotans’ dignity and place in our state. We invited community members to a briefing breaking down this landmark decision and its impact.

Minnesota has been a North Star for progress. We’ve defended abortion access, protected trans lives, and expanded care when other states did the opposite. But with Trump back in the White House and attacks on equality escalating, we’re seeing how fast progress can be undone.

Fifteen years ago, Gender Justice was founded on a vision that is both simple and radical: that no one’s life should be limited by their gender. That your body, your identity, or your biology should never determine your worth or your rights.

That vision hasn’t changed, but the landscape around us has. We are no longer facing isolated policy fights or legal setbacks. We are living through the rise of a coordinated, authoritarian movement—rooted in White Christian Nationalism—that is seizing control of who belongs to our democracy, who holds power, and who gets to live freely and safely.

All students, including LGBTQ+ students, should have the ability to learn and grow at school in a supportive environment. We’ve compiled information on the rights of students in Minnesota, and where to go if you think your student may be facing illegal discrimination.

Public bathrooms should be safe for everyone. But for many transgender and gender nonconforming people, they can be sites of harassment or questioning. Whether you’re a person being targeted for harassment or a witness, understanding how to respond in these situations with small actions can make a big difference.

On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court made the dangerous ruling that public schools must provide parental notifications and an opt-out policy for LGBTQ+-inclusive storybooks that conflict with the religious beliefs of parents.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti on June 18, 2025 is a devastating blow to transgender and nonbinary youth. The Court has given states the greenlight to ban medically necessary, gender-affirming care for trans youth—putting their health and well-being at serious risk.

We’re excited to share a recent segment on Gaily Show Radio, where we had the chance to discuss our Trans Equity Trainings and how to have meaningful conversations about trans rights. Over 400 people have already joined these trainings, and we’re seeing powerful momentum toward trans liberation as people seek out ways to engage, ask questions, and take action for trans rights at this critical time.

In May, Gender Justice joined the North Dakota Human Rights Campaign and community partners to host the first-ever People’s Session—a grassroots gathering where everyday people came together to set a legislative agenda rooted in fairness, dignity, and opportunity rather than division.

This opinion piece, written by Gender Justice Executive Director Megan Peterson, was originally published by the North Dakota Monitor on May 8, 2025. It is reprinted with full permission.

On May 1, the Trump administration’s Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a “report” on trans health care, deliberately designed to spread misinformation about proven, often life-saving care. Importantly, the release of this report changes nothing about access to health care.

When we look at the state of the nation today, it’s clear that without the work we’ve done together in Minnesota, our communities would be facing unimaginable setbacks. Thanks to your support, Minnesota has become a North Star for justice—a place where the right to live authentically and make decisions about our own bodies is not just protected, but championed.