Latest news with #MinnesotaHumanRightsAct
New York Post
20 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Trans softballer hits 2 doubles, pitches complete game to send team to Minnesota state championship for first time
A controversial high school softball team has made the Minnesota state championships for the first time after their star transgender pitcher smashed two doubles and pitched a complete game in a walk-off win. Trans athlete Melissa Rothenberger's performance helped her Champlin Park team beat White Bear Lake 3-2 on Wednesday, leading a girl on the losing team to cry and ask her father, 'Why can't you do something?' according to OutKick. Rothenberger, a junior, went 2-3 at the plate for Champlin Park, sparking her team's comeback victory after falling behind 2-0 and sending them to the Group 4A state championship Friday. Advertisement 'She's always clutch,' Champlin Park coach Bryan Woodley told Twin Cities Pioneer Press after the semi-finals win. 'I think she's the best centerfielder in the state. She's just a great all-around player.' Marissa Rothenberger pitched a complete game and hit 2 doubles in Wednesday night's win. Two fathers of girls on the White Bear Lake team told Outkick they were frustrated that their daughters were forced to compete against a biological male. Advertisement One said that players' parents regretted voting for Minnesota Democrats who've allowed the youth athletic system to operate this way. 'You're looking at a whole team of future Republicans,' one dad said. Champlin Park will play in its first-ever state championship game Friday night. Amber Harding The Minnesota State High School League [MSHSL] permits students to compete under gender identity, despite President Trump's executive order barring all biological men from women's sports. Advertisement The league has said that the inclusion of trans athletes is protected and 'determined by state law, through the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Minnesota Constitution,' Outkick reported. While national governing sports organizations such as USA Softball and the NCAA have implemented female-only policies in women's sports, state-level laws have created loopholes that allow trans athletes to participate.
CBS News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Elon Musk's X sues Minnesota AG, arguing state's "deepfake" law violates free speech
X, the Elon Musk-owned social media site formerly known as Twitter, is suing Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison over a state law regulating the use of "deepfakes" to influence elections. In a suit filed Wednesday, X argues the law violates its free speech rights and "will lead to blanket censorship, including of fully protected, core political speech." The company is asking a federal judge to declare it violates the First Amendment and block it from being enforced. The statute in question criminalizes "a person who disseminates a deep fake or enters into a contract or other agreement to disseminate a deep fake" to attempt to influence an election. X alleges its platform and others "could be accused of violating the statute — and potentially be subjected to criminal liability — for merely having these pictures displayed on its platform." The suit argues the law incentivizes social media sites "to remove any content that presents a close call to avoid criminal penalties and costly lawsuits altogether." "The statute's requirements are so vague and unintelligible that social media platforms cannot understand how to comply with them; thus, those subject to its language will be compelled to over-censor speech to avoid costly litigation potentially leading to criminal liability, over countless judgment calls surrounding whether the statute prohibits particular pieces of content," the suit said. The filing also alleges Ellison "holds specific animus toward [X] and its owner Elon Musk that appears to be motivated by political disagreements." In a statement to WCCO, the attorney general's office said it "is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in court." Last session, Minnesota lawmakers approved expanding the deepfake law to disqualify individuals from running for elected office if convicted of violating it. It was part of a broader package of bills that also included protections election workers from "doxxing," which is the act of posting someone else's personal information with malicious intent. Ellison is among several state attorneys general who recently sued the Trump administration over Musk's close involvement with DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, which is a nongovernmental task force commissioned by the White House to help slash government spending. The X suit comes one day after Ellison's office filed its 15th lawsuit against the Trump administration. On Tuesday, Ellison announced his latest federal suit to "stop President Trump and his administration from bullying vulnerable children" in Minnesota, specifically those who are transgender. Mr. Trump signed an executive order in February mandating that Title IX be interpreted as prohibiting transgender girls and women from participating in female sports. Ellison says that order violates the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The suit was filed amid a threat from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who sued Maine's department of education last week for allegedly violating Title IX by "discriminating against women by failing to protect women in women's sports." Bondi had previously warned Ellison and Minnesota State High School League director Erich Martens, as well as Martens' California counterpart, that they're "on notice" for noncompliance with the president's order. Ellison has previously sued the Trump administration for cuts made to federal government agencies and workforce, changes in environmental law, and several other executive orders, including one seeking to ban birthright citizenship. This story will be updated. NOTE: The original airdate of the video attached to this article is April 22, 2025.
CNN
23-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Minnesota attorney general files preemptive lawsuit against Trump on transgender sports ban
Democratic Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a preemptive lawsuit Tuesday against Republican President Donald Trump seeking to block his administration from acting against Minnesota in the way it's taking on Maine under a federal push to ban transgender athletes from girls and women's sports. 'Minnesota brings this lawsuit to stop President Trump and his administration from bullying vulnerable children in this state,' Ellison said at a news conference, quoting the opening line from the lawsuit naming Trump and his attorney general, Pam Bondi. When Bondi announced the administration's lawsuit against Maine last week, she warned that Minnesota and California could be next. The administration's lawsuit followed weeks of feuding between Trump and Democratic Gov. Janet Mill of Maine that led to a clash at the White House when she told Trump, 'We'll see you in court.' With this case, Ellison is trying to beat Trump and Bondi to the courthouse. The federal lawsuit asks the court to declare Trump's two executive orders on the matter — and letters that the Justice Department has sent to Minnesota threatening to cut off education funding if the state doesn't comply — unconstitutional and bar their enforcement. Ellison told reporters that the orders violate the constitutional separation of powers by usurping Congress' authority to legislate. He said the orders also violate the federal law known as Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funds. The Minnesota Human Rights Act has protected transgender rights since 1993, and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation in 2023 making the state a refuge for transgender children coming from other states for gender-affirming care. Ellison issued a formal legal opinion in February that said the state's human rights protections supersede Trump's exective order on sports, and the attorney general said his guidance is legally binding in Minnesota unless a court rules otherwise. 'Trump's burning desire to destroy trans kids and punish us for helping them live and thrive isn't just a violation of law, it's a violation of Minnesota values,' Ellison said. 'And we're not going to sell out trans kids or any vulnerable community just to stay in the good graces of a lawless administration.' The White House and Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. But the top Republican in state government, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, backed Trump's position. 'It's extremely disappointing that Attorney General Ellison would rather risk federal funding and file yet another taxpayer-funded lawsuit against the Trump administration than simply do the right thing and keep boys out of girls sports,' Demuth said in a statement. 'It's a waste of taxpayer money to further a political agenda that makes girls less safe and makes sports less fair.' Ellison was joined at his news conference by parents of transgender children and human rights activists, incuding state Rep. Leigh Finke of St. Paul, Minnesota's first openly transgender legislator. Addressing Trump and his supporters, Finke said LGBTQ+ people have always existed in every culture throughout history. 'No law, no policy, no hate-fueled campaign will ever change that. So I'm asking you to just please stop trying,' Finke said. 'To those of you in that world who still are capable of hearing from those of us outside of it, understand this: All that we ask is to be left in peace, to live and love and without fear.' Dr. Kelsey Leonardsmith, who treats transgender children from several states at the Family Tree Clinic in Minneapolis, and is a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, said transgender girls and women are already underrepresented in sports and make up just a tiny percentage of student athletes. She disputed the contention of critics that allowing them to participate in girls sports gives them unfair advantages and puts other girls in physical danger. 'Shutting out trans girls helps no one, and it is profoundly harmful to those it excludes,' Leonardsmith said. 'On the surface, it removes opportunities for physical activity, for fitness, for belonging. But on a more fundamental level, it says to trans youth, 'We do not believe you, you are not real,' and it is hard to imagine a more damaging message to send to children.'
Politico
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Minnesota files preemptive lawsuit against Trump on transgender sports ban
ST. PAUL, Minnesota — Democratic Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a preemptive lawsuit Tuesday against Republican President Donald Trump seeking to block his administration from acting against Minnesota in the way it's taking on Maine under a federal push to ban transgender athletes from girls and women's sports. 'Minnesota brings this lawsuit to stop President Trump and his administration from bullying vulnerable children in this state,' Ellison said at a news conference, quoting the opening line from the lawsuit naming Trump and his attorney general, Pam Bondi. When Bondi announced the administration's lawsuit against Maine last week, she warned that Minnesota and California could be next. The administration's lawsuit followed weeks of feuding between Trump and Democratic Gov. Janet Mill of Maine that led to a clash at the White House when she told Trump, 'We'll see you in court.' With this case, Ellison is trying to beat Trump and Bondi to the courthouse. The federal lawsuit asks the court to declare Trump's two executive orders on the matter — and letters that the Justice Department has sent to Minnesota threatening to cut off education funding if the state doesn't comply — unconstitutional and bar their enforcement. Ellison told reporters that the orders violate the constitutional separation of powers by usurping Congress' authority to legislate. He said the orders also violate the federal law known as Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funds. The Minnesota Human Rights Act has protected transgender rights since 1993, and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation in 2023 making the state a refuge for transgender children coming from other states for gender-affirming care. Ellison issued a formal legal opinion in February that said the state's human rights protections supersede Trump's executive order on sports, and the attorney general said his guidance is legally binding in Minnesota unless a court rules otherwise. 'Trump's burning desire to destroy trans kids and punish us for helping them live and thrive isn't just a violation of law, it's a violation of Minnesota values,' Ellison said. 'And we're not going to sell out trans kids or any vulnerable community just to stay in the good graces of a lawless administration.' The White House and Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. But the top Republican in state government, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, backed Trump's position. 'It's extremely disappointing that Attorney General Ellison would rather risk federal funding and file yet another taxpayer-funded lawsuit against the Trump administration than simply do the right thing and keep boys out of girls sports,' Demuth said in a statement. 'It's a waste of taxpayer money to further a political agenda that makes girls less safe and makes sports less fair.' Ellison was joined at his news conference by parents of transgender children and human rights activists, including state Rep. Leigh Finke of St. Paul, Minnesota's first openly transgender legislator. Addressing Trump and his supporters, Finke said LGBTQ+ people have always existed in every culture throughout history. 'No law, no policy, no hate-fueled campaign will ever change that. So I'm asking you to just please stop trying,' Finke said. 'To those of you in that world who still are capable of hearing from those of us outside of it, understand this: All that we ask is to be left in peace, to live and love and without fear.' Dr. Kelsey Leonardsmith, who treats transgender children from several states at the Family Tree Clinic in Minneapolis, and is a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, said transgender girls and women are already underrepresented in sports and make up just a tiny percentage of student athletes. She disputed the contention of critics that allowing them to participate in girls sports gives them unfair advantages and puts other girls in physical danger. 'Shutting out trans girls helps no one, and it is profoundly harmful to those it excludes,' Leonardsmith said. 'On the surface, it removes opportunities for physical activity, for fitness, for belonging. But on a more fundamental level, it says to trans youth, 'We do not believe you, you are not real,' and it is hard to imagine a more damaging message to send to children.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minnesota sues Trump administration over transgender executive orders
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) sued President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday after the administration threatened the state's federal funding over its refusal to implement an executive order banning transgender athletes from girls and women's sports. Bondi had warned the state to comply with Trump's Feb. 4 order in a letter that month and said last week while announcing a civil lawsuit against Maine over its noncompliance that California and Minnesota are the 'top two' states that should also 'be on notice.' The White House has argued Title IX, the federal civil rights law against sex discrimination, prevents transgender students from competing in girls sports, the opposite of the position held by the Biden administration. 'I'm not going to sit around waiting for the Trump administration to sue Minnesota,' Ellison said Tuesday at a press conference at the state Capitol in St. Paul. 'Today, Minnesota is suing him and his administration because we will not participate in this shameful bullying.' Ellison's lawsuit, filed in Minnesota district court, also challenges one of Trump's Day 1 executive orders proclaiming the U.S. recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and broadly preventing government funds from being spent on what his administration calls 'gender ideology.' The orders, Ellison said Tuesday, violate the U.S. Constitution and Title IX, which he said includes gender identity protections. 'The administration is wrong about the law,' he said. The White House and the Department of Justice did not immediately return requests for comment. In February, Ellison wrote in an opinion that implementing Trump's order on transgender athletes would violate the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. The president's order 'does not have the force of law and therefore does not preempt any aspect of Minnesota law,' Ellison wrote in the opinion, which is legally binding. Educational institutions and the Minnesota State High School League, the organization governing interscholastic activities in the state, would violate the state's anti-discrimination law 'by prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in extracurricular activities according to their gender identity,' he wrote. Ellison in Tuesday's lawsuit argued that letters sent in February and April by Bondi and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon ordering Minnesota to ban trans athletes from girls sports violate the Administrative Procedure Act because they are 'arbitrary and capricious' and conflict with Title IX. 'They want to make all of us pay because we welcome all children and want them to be their whole selves,' Ellison said during Tuesday's news conference. 'These are bullying, tactics, plain and simple. I've been around my share of bullies in my life, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that you can't give them an inch.' Ellison is involved in several other lawsuits challenging Trump's executive orders, including one filed jointly with attorneys general from Colorado, Washington state and Oregon in February against an order to cut federal support for gender-affirming care for trans youth. That order is temporarily blocked under orders from two federal judges. Speaking at Tuesday's press conference, Minnesota state Rep. Leigh Finke (D), the state's first openly transgender lawmaker, said the orders are part of the administration's broader campaign to roll back the rights of trans people and deny that they exist. 'Here, we do not bend to cruelty,' Finke said. 'We do not bow to bullying or bigotry. We lead with love and follow the law. We will continue to build a state that honors and affirms the lives of all. We will continue to build a state that honors and affirms the lives of all. We have chosen love, we have chosen justice, and we continue to choose freedom, now and always.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
