Minnesota Sought Dismissal of Transgender Sports Lawsuits

State officials requested a federal judge toss legal challenges regarding policies for transgender student athletes.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Softball

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a state government building facade, representing institutional legal tension. — Minnesota state officials have requested that a federal judge dismiss ongoing lawsuits challenging the state’s long-standing policies regarding transgender student athlete participation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should high school sports policies prioritize transgender inclusion over maintaining biological categories for competition?

Minnesota officials have asked a federal judge to dismiss ongoing lawsuits challenging the state’s policies on transgender participation in school sports. The litigation, brought by the Justice Department and Female Athletes United, argues the state's inclusive rules violate Title IX.

Why it matters

The case highlights the growing national legal tension between state-level inclusive athlete policies and federal Title IX requirements. Minnesota maintains its rules comply with the Minnesota Human Rights Act and protect transgender students.

A transgender pitcher recently surrendered only one run over 35 innings of play. These specific performance metrics are central to arguments regarding competitive balance in the ongoing litigation.

The players

Minnesota State High School League

This organization oversees interscholastic athletic and fine arts programs for schools across Minnesota.

Eric Tostrud

He is a Chief U.S. District Judge who previously denied a preliminary injunction request regarding the state's athlete policies.

Female Athletes United

This group acts as a plaintiff in the ongoing litigation challenging state policies that allow transgender students on teams matching their gender identity.

Justice Department

This federal executive department is responsible for the enforcement of federal laws and the administration of justice.

Donald Trump

He is the current President of the United States whose administration has threatened to withhold federal funds from the state.

The details

The Minnesota State High School League adopted the current policy in 2016, which permits students to join teams that align with their gender identity. Opponents argue this creates unfair competition for female athletes, while the state contends it is a good-faith effort to foster inclusion.

Minnesota adopted its transgender athlete policy in 2016.
Female Athletes United filed a lawsuit against the state in May 2025.
The Justice Department filed a Title IX lawsuit against Minnesota in March 2026.
A federal judge dismissed a prior Minnesota lawsuit against the administration in August 2026.
Minnesota urged a judge to toss pending legal challenges on September 28, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This litigation follows the legal pattern set by West Virginia v. B.P.J., which established that state-level bans on transgender girls do not inherently violate federal law. The outcome of the motion to dismiss will significantly impact the state's ability to maintain its current athletic competition framework.

The potential loss of $3 billion in federal funding represents a substantial fiscal risk for state-funded educational and athletic programs. Future rulings will determine whether school districts must alter their team roster eligibility requirements for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The court's decision on this motion to dismiss will clarify the extent to which states can diverge from federal interpretations of Title IX. Residents and families involved in high school sports should prepare for potential shifts in eligibility policies depending on the judge's ruling.