STATEMENT FROM RENEE CARLSON, GENERAL COUNSEL, TRUE NORTH LEGAL
According to a recent article in Reduxx, coaches and fellow softball players in Champlin Park High School in Minnesota have been made aware that a transgender athlete, a biological male, has been allowed to participate on the girls’ softball team, which is part of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).
This is exactly the reason we need to protect girls’ sports in Minnesota and why True North Legal worked with our legislative allies in the House on two bills protecting female athletes, which passed out of committee and made it to the floor this past session. For more information on those bills check out my interview with Liz Collin here.
Nearly 80% of the country agrees with us: male athletes do not belong on girls’ teams. It is unfair to teammates and competitors alike. While our opponents on this issue try to normalize males hijacking girls opportunities we say displacing one girl from a girls’ sports team or a roster is one too many!
Here in Champlin, Minnesota, every spot on that softball team is a chance for a female athlete to shine – to play hard, learn about fair play, how to win and lose gracefully. It’s a springboard to championships, collegiate opportunities, scholarships, perhaps even a professional career. There is a female athlete in Champlin whose place on that team has been given to a male athlete. That is deeply unfair to her, and to all female athletes. It also sets a precedent that we won’t accept, it tells girls that now and in the future they must step aside allowing males to take their place.
True North Legal looks forward to more opportunities to defend the rights of female athletes in Minnesota to have their chance to shine. As a mom and aunt of female athletes, this isn’t just a legal or policy issue — it’s personal for me.
If you are a female athlete or a parent of a female athlete in Minnesota please reach out to us at info@truenorthlegal.org to learn more about how you can join our efforts to protect female athletes in Minnesota, and sign up for our emails to get updates on this situation.