Schools that receive federal funding are prohibited from allowing biological males to compete against female athletes, or the school risks their federal funding being pulled.
In the wake of Trump signing an executive order banning biological males from women’s sports in schools that receive federal funding, multiple states are vowing to defy this order and continue allowing such athletes to compete against women.
The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), which oversees interscholastic sports in the state, said in a statement to schools, "In Minnesota, participation and eligibility of transgender student-athletes is determined by state law, through the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Minnesota Constitution. The Minnesota State High School League, similar to other youth sports organizations, is subject to state anti-discrimination laws, which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity," per Fox 9.
"Therefore, students in Minnesota are allowed to participate consistent with their gender identity. League Member Schools have done excellent work in respecting students and their individual situations as they determine their participation and eligibility within interscholastic sports," the organization added. "The League will continue to review the existing state laws alongside the new Presidential Executive Order and its timeline, processes for states, and requirements that are included."
Over in California, the California Interscholastic Federation said that the organization "provides students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete in education-based experiences in compliance with California law," with the state’s education code saying that students can participate in sports based on their self-proclaimed gender identity, per the San Francisco Chronicle.
The group said that it would continue to follow state law despite an executive order from Trump that opposes the state’s education code. Washington State is also, and stated, "We are working closely with the Attorney General’s Office to understand the next steps for our state and for our school districts in response to this unlawful order."
California Family Council Outreach Director Sophia Lorey told Fox News, "I am disgusted that CIF is disregarding yesterday's executive order and instead doubling down on policies that are not only unfair, but dangerous for young women across California. By prioritizing their idol of transgender ideology over the safety and rights of female athletes, they are knowingly exposing high school girls to unsafe competition and stripping them of opportunities guaranteed for them under Title IX."
Under the executive order signed by Trump on Wednesday, schools that receive federal funding are prohibited from allowing biological males to compete against female athletes, or the school risks their federal funding being pulled. In response, the NCAA, which oversees collegiate-level athletics, updated its transgender athlete participation policy to state that the women's division is for "student-athletes assigned female at birth only."
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