Federal officials review the state allowing a male athlete to compete in the girls’ softball championship.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently opened an investigation into the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League. The inquiry will determine whether the state violated Title IX by allowing a male student to compete on a high school softball team designated for female athletes. The investigation followed a championship game in which the male athlete contributed significantly to the team’s victory.
As a recipient of federal health funding, Minnesota’s Department of Education is required to comply with Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities.
“Females cannot be relegated to the sidelines under Title IX,” said OCR Director Paula Stannard. “As a recipient of Federal funds, Title IX requires Minnesota to ensure fair and safe opportunities for females to compete on sex-segregated teams – regardless of state law obligations.”
The investigation comes amid conflicting directives between federal Title IX regulations and Minnesota’s state laws, with state officials prioritizing local policy over federal executive orders related to sex-specific sports participation.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Director Stannard as she oversees the HHS Office of Civil Rights.
- For wisdom for Secretary Kennedy as he heads the Department of Health and Human Services.
- For U.S. government officials as they seek to ensure state education departments properly apply Title IX to protect girls’ and women’s sports and private spaces.
Sources: Department of Health and Human Services