Keeping males out of female-only spaces has become a major theme in the first few weeks of this year’s session of the Minnesota Legislature.
Last month, Republicans in the Minnesota House of Representatives advanced two bills that protect female-only spaces. One would keep men who identify as women out of the state’s only female prison. Another, HF 12, would protect female-only sports.
On Monday, Republicans brought HF 12 to the floor of the House for a full vote.
Authored by Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, HF 12 bans males from participating in female sports and athletic programs that are exclusive to females. The ban applies to all secondary and elementary school athletic programs in Minnesota. Additionally, the bill requires the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to adopt polices consistent with the ban.
Last month, the bill was advanced out of the House Education Policy Committee on a party-line 7-6 vote.
In anticipation of HF 12 being brought before the full House, legislators and activists from both sides of the debate showed up in force.
At a morning rally, athletes and Republicans gathered on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol Building to show their support for HF 12. Among them was Riley Gaines, a former NCAA Division I swimmer who has become perhaps the most well-known name in the fight to protect female sports.
“Today’s House vote on House File 12 is going to reveal something for all of us Minnesotans and Americans to see,” said Gaines. “Does your representative believe that women are worthy of privacy in areas of undressing? If they do, then they will be a ‘yes’ vote. Does your representative believe that women are worthy of safety on the court, on the field, or in their everyday lives? Because if they do, they will be a ‘yes’ vote.”
Meanwhile, Democrats, left-wing activists, and private citizens held a press conference to oppose HF 12 and express support for people who identify as transgender. Those who spoke at the press event said HF 12 does not have the votes to pass, wastes valuable time, and violates anti-discrimination law such as the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
“Today’s bill is not just about sports, and it’s not just about kids,” said Kat Rohn, executive director of OutFront Minnesota. “It’s about trying to redefine the role our bodies play in shaping our lives and it’s an invitation to greater scrutiny for all of us who don’t fit neatly into a box. We all deserve the chance to play the sports we love and we all deserve to be ourselves free from scrutiny, bullying, and harassment.”
On the House floor, DFL Floor Leader Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis, argued that the bill was an attempt to erase transgender kids and would lead to bullying, invasive exams, and does not solve any problems that currently exist in Minnesota. Conversely, Scott explained that enforcement of her bill would be handled by the same mechanisms that are in place today. She also told members that a vote for HF 12 is a vote that ensures safe and fair athletic opportunities for Minnesota girls.
Minnesota Democrat Rep. Alicia Kozlowski calls a bill to protect girls' sports "just another version of state-sanctioned bullying and genocide." pic.twitter.com/2MYRPzjpBI
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) March 4, 2025
Ultimately, HF 12 did not pass. When the final vote was being taken, 67 Republicans voted for the bill and 66 DFLers voted against it. However, legislation in the House requires at least 68 votes for final passage. At present, there are 67 Republicans, 66 Democrats, and one vacancy in the 134-member chamber.
After it became apparent that the bill would not achieve the 68 votes required for passage, Majority Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, changed his vote from “aye” to “nay.” This meant that HF 21 failed on a 66-67 vote.
DFL Minnesota Rep. Andy Smith objects to the Preserving Girls' Sports Act's definition of female as an "individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have … the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization."
"Are… pic.twitter.com/E9eXGOv7dj
— Anthony Gockowski (@AntGockowski) March 4, 2025
A similar situation happened last month with a different bill. At that time, a spokesperson from the House Republican Caucus explained that Niska changed his vote in order to make a motion to reconsider the legislation being voted on.
House rules require a member to be on the prevailing side of the prior vote in order to offer a motion to reconsider. As such, the majority leader switched his vote at the last minute to bring the motion.
After changing his vote, Niska made a motion to reconsider HF 12. That motion passed on a partisan 67-66 vote and HF 12 was subsequently “laid on the table,” meaning the bill can be taken up again at any time for a second vote.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
