It was announced last week that the Department of Justice is suing Minnesota over what it describes as the state’s “unapologetic sex discrimination against female student-athletes.”

The suit raises concerns over shared “intimate spaces,” the “inherent biological advantage” that boys have in sports, and repeated pleas from students and parents seeking “safety” and “fairness.”

It also notes that Minnesota receives more than $3 billion in federal funding annually, which comes with an agreement to uphold “nondiscriminatory practices.” The suit argues that the state is failing to meet that obligation by violating Title IX.

Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) released the following statement in response:

“Many sports are incredibly physical. As a mother, my daughters played hockey growing up, and the risks were already high. Young girls should be free to compete in those sports, knowing that they are safe, protected, and not facing competitors with a physical advantage.

“Title IX was created to ensure girls have a fair and equal chance to safely compete. When policies change in ways that compromise fairness and safety, it’s completely reasonable to seek clarity, and I support the Department of Justice as they attempt to do just that.

“This has never been about exclusion – it has simply been about protecting our girls and empowering them to compete.”

Last session, Housley authored a bill to create an Exemption for Women’s Athletics in the Human Rights Act, stating that sex shall be determined based on a person’s reproductive biology, and women’s athletics should be exclusionary to anyone who is male, irrespective of their gender identity.