RELEASE: Rep. Zeleznikar Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Hearing to Protect Female Sports

News Release

Rep. Zeleznikar Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Hearing to Protect Female Sports

Saint Paul, MN – Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, R-Fredenberg Township, issued the following statement today as the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in cases from Idaho and West Virginia defending state laws designed to protect fairness in women’s sports.

During the last legislative session, Rep. Zeleznikar chief authored House File 1233 to align Minnesota’s Human Rights Act with longstanding Title IX protections. The legislation preceded the findings from a joint federal investigation that found the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League violated Title IX by allowing students to participate on sports teams based on gender identity.

While the bill received unanimous support from House Republicans, it was blocked by House Democrats.

“For decades, women and girls fought for the right to compete on a level playing field. That hard-won right has increasingly come under attack,” said Rep. Zeleznikar. “Title IX was created to ensure fairness, safety, and equal opportunity in women’s sports, and those protections must be upheld. Allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports undermines the very purpose of these laws and puts female athletes at a disadvantage. I am glad the U.S. supreme court is hearing these arguments because this is ultimately about fairness, common sense, and preserving opportunities for female athletes.”

House Democrats also blocked House File 12 which would restrict participation in female sports to biological females.

“When Democrats block these pieces of common-sense legislation, they are ignoring federal law and the concerns of female athletes and their families. We should be working to strengthen Title IX protections, not erode them, and I will continue to stand up for women and girls who simply want a fair chance to compete.”

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