Title IX changed everything for girls across the country. Before it passed in 1972, young women had far fewer opportunities to compete in sports. Growing up, I was one of those girls who benefitted. Title IX brought girls sports to my high school when I was a sophomore. It gave me the chance to learn the discipline, teamwork, and resilience that sports provide — skills I’ve carried with me ever since.
That’s why I believe it’s so important to stay true to what Title IX was meant to do: protect opportunities for women and girls. A recent decision by Rochester Public Schools shows why this conversation still matters.
Recently, a federal court struck down changes to Title IX that had greatly expanded the law to include gender identity as part of its definition of discrimination. The court ruled that this change was too vague and conflicted with Title IX’s original purpose. Following the court decision, Rochester Public Schools updated its own district policy to refocus on protecting students from discrimination and harassment, without adding language about gender identity.
This was the right decision.
Title IX was designed to make sure girls and women had fair access to sports and education. Expanding its definition to include gender identity introduces confusion and, more importantly, threatens the fairness for girls that Title IX was meant to guarantee.
Sports are unique. They rely on physical competition. Mixing gender identity with Title IX risks creating situations where girls may lose opportunities to compete and excel, since testosterone plays a critical role in muscle growth, strength, endurance, and recovery. That’s not just speculation – it has already happened in many parts of the country. Girls have lost out on scholarships, state titles, and starting positions because they were forced to compete against biological males.
This isn’t about being against anyone, and it certainly is not about discrimination. It’s about fairness. Girls deserve to know that when they step on the field, the court, or the track, they’re competing against other biological girls. Title IX was our country’s promise to ensure fairness for girls everywhere. We owe it to the next generation to keep that promise.
Rochester Public Schools’ decision to return to its previous policy reflects that commitment. The updated policy simply says that discrimination is not allowed and harassment won’t be tolerated. That’s the core of what Title IX has always been about: making sure every student is treated with dignity and respect.
As someone who benefitted from Title IX firsthand, I know how powerful those opportunities can be. I’m proud to have supported legislation in Minnesota that protects girls’ sports and strengthens Title IX’s original intent.
We can, and should, have compassionate conversations about complex issues like gender identity. But those conversations shouldn’t come at the expense of the fairness that Title IX was designed to protect.
Girls have worked hard for their place in sports. They deserve to know that Title IX still has their back.