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MSHSL Upholds Transgender Athletes' Rights Despite Federal Pressure

2/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) will keep allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports, despite a federal directive and U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2025 order.
Erich Martens, executive director of MSHSL, says the federal directive conflicts with state law.
Minnesota's Human Rights Act was updated in 2023 to protect gender identity.
The federal government has deemed Minnesota in Title IX violation and referred the case to Department of Justice.

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Story summary

Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) will keep allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports, despite a federal directive and U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2025 order.
Erich Martens, executive director of MSHSL, says the federal directive conflicts with state law.
Minnesota's Human Rights Act was updated in 2023 to protect gender identity.
The federal government has deemed Minnesota in Title IX violation and referred the case to Department of Justice.