Minnesota Supreme Court rules USA powerlifting violated human rights of transgender athlete

Maile said the opinion was at odds with the federal government and laws in 27 other states.

“For us, the more disturbing part is that if we are obligated to include trans women in the women’s division, without any adjustments or accommodations to assure fairness, then we have become an instrument of discrimination against, really, what is the largest protected class in the country, which is women,” Maile said.

The opinion amounts to a nuanced journey through the clearly protected rights of transgender individuals in Minnesota and comes at a time when sports organizations in the state are grappling with what those rights entail.

Republicans have attempted to advance legislation to ban trans athletes from girls and women’s sports, but the bills didn’t pass the closely divided Minnesota House.

“This issue is ultimately about safety and fairness, and Minnesotans overwhelmingly agree that their daughters and granddaughters should not be forced to compete against boys,” said House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring. “House Republicans are ready to act in the first weeks of next year’s legislative session to make clear that girls sports are for girls.”

In a statement, the Minnesota Queer Legislators Caucus called the ruling a “historic victory” that affirmed fundamental rights for trans Minnesotans to “live their lives without discrimination in public spaces and accommodations — including in sports.”