Minnesota Urges Court to Dismiss Lawsuits Targeting Trans Athlete Policies
Minnesota urged a federal court to reject lawsuits challenging its transgender athlete inclusion policies.
Why it matters: Legal battles over transgender athlete participation are redefining civil rights protections under Title IX, affecting education and sports law nationwide.
- In March 2026, DOJ sued Minnesota alleging its transgender athlete policy violates Title IX.
- Minnesota State High School League's policy, set in 2016, permits transgender athletes to compete based on gender identity.
- Female Athletes United sued Minnesota in May 2025, citing Title IX violations.
- June 2026 Supreme Court rulings upheld states' rights to restrict women's sports participation based on sex assigned at birth.
On March 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Minnesota’s Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League, alleging their transgender athlete policies breach Title IX.
The Minnesota State High School League adopted its transgender athlete inclusion policy in 2016, allowing transgender students to compete on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. Minnesota maintains the policy was not created to discriminate, with attorney Kevin Beck stating, "There's no plausible allegation that the high school league was motivated to discriminate against girls when it adopted its transgender policy." Legal filings show Minnesota urging dismissal of opposing lawsuits.
Female Athletes United brought suit in May 2025 against Minnesota officials, arguing the policies violate Title IX by denying equal athletic opportunities to cisgender female athletes. The case Female Athletes United v. Keith Ellison was heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on April 15, 2026. Court documents reflect ongoing legal scrutiny.
Adding to the complexity, the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2026 ruled in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox that states may restrict participation in women’s sports to individuals assigned female at birth without violating Title IX or Equal Protection provisions. These rulings affirm state authority but contrast Minnesota’s inclusive policy approach. Analysis of these decisions highlights the evolving legal landscape.
Recently, a federal judge dismissed a similar DOJ lawsuit against California’s policies on September 1, 2026, ruling the state lacked clear notice that its policies might cost federal funding under Title IX. This outcome bolsters Minnesota’s motion to dismiss and underscores legal uncertainties surrounding transgender rights in athletics. Judicial decisions in related states add context.
By the numbers:
- 2016 — Year Minnesota adopted transgender athlete inclusion policy
- March 30, 2026 — DOJ filed lawsuit against Minnesota over transgender athlete policies
- May 2025 — Female Athletes United filed lawsuit challenging Minnesota officials
Yes, but: While Minnesota urges dismissal, the final outcomes in the Eighth Circuit and related cases remain unsettled, maintaining legal uncertainty.
What's next: The Eighth Circuit's decision following the April 2026 hearing in Female Athletes United v. Keith Ellison will be pivotal for Minnesota's policy and similar cases nationwide.