Rep. Ben Davis Responds to Vote to Preserve Girls’ Sports

St. Paul — The Minnesota House of Representatives today voted on HF 2685, legislation authored by Rep. Knudsen (R-Lake Shore) stating that only biological females may participate in girls’ school sports. The bill did not pass, with every House Democrat voting against it. The vote comes as the State of Minnesota is being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for failing to comply with Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs receiving federal funding.

Representative Ben Davis (R-Merrifield) released the following statement:

“This is not controversial. Girls’ sports are there so girls have a fair chance to compete, and most people understand that. I hear it from parents all the time. They just want things to be fair for their daughters. That’s all this bill was trying to do, and it’s frustrating to see it voted down.”

Polling shows a strong majority of Minnesotans support this position. With the House tied, bipartisan support is required to pass legislation.