Detroit Lakes Seeks Vote on Girls Sports Rule
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — The Detroit Lakes school board has approved a proposed change involving girls high school sports.
The board voted 4-2 on September 28 to approve a letter to the Minnesota State High School League.
The proposal would base eligibility for girls sports on biological sex instead of gender identity.
However, the letter’s delivery had not been confirmed as of September 29.
MPR News reported that the board’s designated MSHSL representative declined to sign the letter.
The district’s activities director is also an authorized representative and could sign it.
Board Seeks Statewide Bylaw Process
The proposal asks the Minnesota State High School League to use its bylaw process.
Detroit Lakes wants member schools to consider changing eligibility rules for girls teams.
The district letter argues the current rule should be replaced with a sex-based standard.
The MSHSL approved its transgender participation policy in December 2014.
The policy later allowed eligible transgender students to compete consistently with their gender identity.
Detroit Lakes argues that policy should have received broader consideration from member schools.
The district’s letter also raises concerns about Title IX and possible federal funding disputes.
Supreme Court Ruling Adds Legal Questions
The proposal cites the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 30 decision in West Virginia v. B.P.J.
The court upheld sex-based sports laws in West Virginia and Idaho.
The court found those laws did not violate Title IX or the Equal Protection Clause.
The full Supreme Court opinion is available online.
The ruling allows states to maintain female teams based on biological sex.
It did not directly decide whether Minnesota’s different policy violates federal law.
Minnesota Policy Faces Court Challenges
Minnesota officials maintain that state law protects participation based on gender identity.
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office issued that interpretation in 2025.
Opponents argue the current policy violates Title IX and reduces fair competition for female athletes.
Supporters argue transgender students should have equal access to school activities under Minnesota law.
Those competing legal views are now being tested in federal court.
Chief U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud heard arguments September 28 in two related challenges.
No deadline for decisions in those cases has been announced.
Brainerd and other Minnesota districts have also considered similar MSHSL bylaw proposals.
Any statewide change would still need to complete the league’s formal amendment process.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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