Rep. Jacob Supports Bill Prohibiting Boys from Playing in Girls’ Sports

ST. PAUL – A recent lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against the State of Minnesota has once again brought the issue of fairness and safety in girls sports to the forefront.

At issue: why Minnesota continues to allow biological boys to compete in girls sporting events.

The justice department notes Minnesota is violating the federal Title IX law, which ensures fairness and safety for female student athletes. In response, the Minnesota House recently debated the Preserving Girls Sports Act which would end the illegal practice by prohibiting boys from playing in girls’ sports in Minnesota. State Representative Steve Jacob (R-Altura) voted yes on the bill.

“Across the nation, we are seeing biological boys winning state championships in girls divisions, and we are seeing girls facing serious injuries due to boys playing in girls’ athletic events,” Jacob said. “That is not fair, it’s not safe, and it is not right. This bill does not prevent any child from playing sports. But it does insist that, regardless of how the student wants to identify, biological born males cannot play in female only sports.”

Jacob said the Preserving Girls Sports Act specifically 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.

“This should not be a controversial topic,” Jacob said. “There are significant physical and physiological differences between male and female bodies. 80% of Minnesotans support only girls playing in girls’ athletics due to fairness and safety concerns, yet the bill can’t find bipartisan support in the Minnesota House.”

Jacob said 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.