A proposed amendment that would base participation in sex-separated Minnesota high school sports on biological sex rather than gender identity has cleared its first hurdle and will now be distributed to Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) member schools statewide.
Make It Fair Minnesota announced Oct. 26 that representatives associated with 11 MSHSL member schools and school districts submitted support for the proposed amendment to MSHSL Bylaw 101.00.
According to Make it Fair, MSHSL confirmed in an Oct. 21 email that the submissions met the threshold required to initiate the league’s distribution and voting process.
The league was expected to distribute the proposed amendment to its more than 500 member schools by Nov. 1, according to Make It Fair Minnesota.
The proposal would add one sentence to MSHSL Bylaw 101.00:
“A student who participates in a sex-separated sport shall participate on the team consistent with their biological sex at birth.”
Existing provisions concerning age eligibility and participation in the Adapted Athletics Program would remain unchanged, according to the proposal.
Proposal moves to member schools
The latest development marks the next step in a process Alpha News previously reported on earlier this month.
During an Oct. 8 MSHSL board meeting, Executive Director Erich Martens described the proposal as an amendment to the league’s existing bylaw on age and sex that would have “sex-separated sports be based on biological sex only.”
At that time, supporters urged the league to follow its established amendment process and allow member schools to consider the proposal.
Under the next phase described by Make It Fair Minnesota, member schools will be asked to gather community input, discuss the amendment with their governing boards, and communicate their positions to their regional committees before Dec. 15.
The league’s 16 regional committees then have until Feb. 15, 2027, to vote on the proposal.
At least nine of the 16 regions must support the amendment for it to advance to the MSHSL Representative Assembly, according to the process outlined by Make It Fair Minnesota.
Public input campaign launched
Alongside the announcement, Make It Fair Minnesota launched a public-input campaign asking supporters of biological-sex-based eligibility to contact local school board members, superintendents, and MSHSL representatives.
The organization also created an online support form and said it plans to compile submissions and provide them to school district leaders before votes are taken.
“The amendment has cleared its first hurdle. Now, the decisive work shifts to local communities,” the organization said in its announcement.
Make It Fair Minnesota said its approach has centered on using “MSHSL’s own governance process” rather than relying solely on action from state officials, litigation, or a policy reversal by the league’s board.
“If Minnesotans believe in equal protection and fair competition for high school athletes, now is the time to speak up,” Make It Fair Minnesota said in a statement. “We have worked to open a door through the League’s own governance process to effect immediate change. The next step is for communities across Minnesota to walk through it.”
Debate continues over eligibility rules
The effort comes amid an ongoing dispute over Minnesota’s rules governing participation in girls’ sports.
Make It Fair Minnesota argues that eligibility should be based on biological sex to protect competitive fairness and athlete safety.
The organization also cited recent court decisions and public polling as reasons for member schools to reconsider the league’s existing policy.
The debate also played out at the ballot box last week. Voters in Arizona, Nebraska, Colorado, and Washington approved measures designed to keep biological males from playing in female sports.
“School leaders need to hear directly from thousands of parents, athletes, coaches and residents before they decide whether to advance this amendment,” Make it Fair Minnesota said.
Symone Harms
Symone Harms is a Media Production and Business Marketing student at Bethel University. She is actively involved in The Royals Investment Fund, The 25, theatre, and other leadership positions. She also cohosts Rooted, a podcast dedicated to being rooted in truth, growing in freedom, and prospering in life. A Minnesota native with a passion for storytelling and digital media, she aspires to a career in broadcasting as a news anchor and reporter.
