Rep. Torkelson News Release

Hello from St. Paul,

Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the State of Minnesota for violating Title IX protections that ensure fairness and safety for female student athletes. Minnesota currently allows biologically born boys who identify as a girl to participate in girls’ athletics.

To help solve this problem, the Minnesota House recently voted on the “Preserving Girls Sports Act” that would prevent boys in Minnesota from playing in girls’ sports and uphold Title IX. I voted yes on the bill.

The validity of Title IX is at risk in the State of Minnesota if we don’t take action. Even the International Olympic Committee has prohibited biological males from competing in female events. The legislation is just common sense.

Look around at the success stories taking place for girls and women in high school and college athletics. We even have professional women’s sports leagues in basketball, hockey, soccer, and others that no one would have predicted decades ago. Title IX has been a revolutionary win for girls and women, and House Republicans are fighting to protect it.

Specifically, the Preserving Girls Sports Act states that only students of the female sex may participate in an elementary or secondary school athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted on the basis of sex to women or girls. If there is a dispute, a student must present a signed physician’s statement indicating the student’s sex is based solely on the student’s internal and external anatomy, natural occurring level of testosterone, and an analysis of the student’s chromosomes.

The bill received a full vote of the Minnesota House on April 7. All 67 Republicans voted for the proposal, and all 66 Democrats voted against it. Because 68 votes are needed for legislation to be approved in the Minnesota House, the Preserving Girls Sports Act failed to pass by one vote.

It’s pretty sad that we actually need to bring legislation forward that prevents a boy from taking part in girls’ athletics. It’s even more sad when we can’t find one lawmaker on the other side of the aisle that will stand up for Title IX. When it comes to fairness as well as safety for our girls, this legislation is necessary to uphold the integrity of Title IX in Minnesota.

Have a good weekend,

Paul