 Protesters gather outside of the House Chamber before the March 3 floor session where members considered HF12 that would restrict female elementary or secondary school level athletic sports team participation to biological females. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)
Female sports team participation in Minnesota is not restricted to the female sex. Nor will it be anytime soon.
With bill supporters and opponents watching eagerly outside the House Chamber, and emotional discussion inside, HF12 was unable to cross the finish line Monday.
Sponsored by Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover), the “Preserving Girls’ Sports Act” states: “only female students may participate in an elementary or secondary school level athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted to women and girls.”
Per the bill, “’female means a female as biologically determined by genetics and defined with respect to an individual's reproductive system.”
Needing 68 House votes for passage, the bill could only garner party-line results with 67 affirmative votes but 66 negative votes. It was then reconsidered and tabled in pair of procedural moves.
“We cannot allow our girls to be vulnerable to losing their spot on the team, being on the podium, or to injury by a male teammate or male competitor,” Scott said. “That is not safe and that is not fair to our girls.”
Opponents say the bill would allow trans discrimination and is rife for abuse. Members of the Minnesota Queer Legislators Caucus called it “political theater” at a midday news conference.
“All children deserve to play,” said Rep. Brion Curran (DFL-White Bear Lake), the caucus chair. “We will not be complacent with this hateful and dangerous anti-trans rhetoric.”
➡️ Read more at Session Daily
MORE FROM SESSION DAILY
Session Daily is an online news service updated every day during session and when news from the House warrants.
   
|