8th Circuit Hears Minnesota Softball Title IX Challenge Over Transgender Pitcher
An Eighth Circuit panel is hearing a Title IX challenge over a Minnesota softball player's participation after a transgender pitcher prompted a lawsuit that has returned to court and drawn renewed national attention. The proceedings come as the same appeals court recently paused lower‑court restrictions on tactics used by federal agents in an ICE‑related case, highlighting concurrent high‑profile federal disputes tied to Minnesota.
📌 Key Facts
- The 8th Circuit held an expedited oral argument Thursday on an appeal by three Minnesota high school softball players challenging transgender participation in girls’ sports under Title IX.
- U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud dismissed the lawsuit on Sept. 19, 2025, prompting the plaintiffs to appeal immediately.
- ADF attorney Hal Frampton told the court Title IX "protects fairness and safety in women’s sports" and that allowing "men" in women’s sports violates those rights.
- The plaintiffs now cite subsequent findings by the U.S. Departments of Education and HHS that Minnesota education agencies violated Title IX by allowing the trans pitcher and other "biological males" to play girls’ sports.
- After President Trump signed the "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports" executive order in February, the Minnesota State High School League announced it would continue allowing transgender athletes, a stance Ellison publicly backed.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
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January 22, 2026
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January 16, 2026