Minnesota, California, Maine Defy Trump's Transgender Sports Order

Minnesota's Attorney General Keith Ellison stated that the state's human rights law allows transgender athletes to compete in accordance with their gender identity, overriding President Trump's executive order banning transgender women from women's sports. Ellison emphasized that adherence to the Trump order would violate the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In contrast, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association announced a policy restricting participation in women's sports to biological females, citing compliance with federal directives. Meanwhile, several other states, including Minnesota and California, are reportedly defying Trump's order, leading to investigations by the Trump administration into their high school athletic associations. Critics argue that allowing transgender athletes to compete undermines women’s sports and safety, while supporters contend that the existing policies have functioned successfully for years without major issues. The ongoing debate highlights a significant divide in policy approaches to transgender athletes across the United States.