Fogelman explains vote on transgender athletes in girls sports

A girls’-only sports bill met intense debate on the Minnesota House floor Monday night and eventually struck out.  

District 66A Rep. Leigh Finke of St. Paul and other Democrats spoke out against keeping transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. Finke told members there hadn’t been a single piece of testimony given in committee or on the floor of an actual problem being caused by trans girls in sports.  

District 21B Rep. and Fulda Republican Marj Fogelman issued a press release stating her opposition to the bill. Said Fogelman: “This bill is about keeping girls safe. It does not prevent a boy who identifies as a girl from playing sports, but it does require participation with athletes of your actual gender.”

The House bill stated 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, Fogleman explained. If there is a dispute, a student must present a signed physician’s statement indicating the student’s sex is based solely on the student’s internal and external anatomy, natural occurring level of testosterone and an analysis of the student’s chromosomes.

Added Fogelman: “It’s pretty sad that we actually need to bring legislation forward that prevents a boy from taking part in girls’ athletics. When it comes to fairness as well as safety for our girls, this is just common sense."

All 67 Republicans in the House voted for the proposal, and all 66 Democrats voted against it. Sixty-eight votes are needed in order for legislation to be approved in the Minnesota House. Following some procedural motions after the vote, Fogelman said the bill could be revisited by the House in the weeks ahead.