Tim Walz Says Supreme Court Allowed States To Be Cruel To Transgender People

The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state laws banning transgender athletes from female sports teams, including laws from West Virginia and Idaho that restrict participation in girls’ and women’s school sports based on a student’s sex assigned at birth.

“MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state laws banning transgender athletes from female sports teams”

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the ruling was a mixed bag, telling reporters, "The Supreme Court has allowed states to be as cruel as they want to be to transgender people."

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

Walz also said Minnesota would continue to treat transgender athletes with dignity, adding, "We’re going to view it as a positive considering what could have been done."

The Guardian reported that trans youth athletes vowed to keep playing sports and fighting for equal access after the court found the West Virginia and Idaho laws constitutional.

The Guardian said the decision will support laws in 25 other states that restrict trans youth participation in sports, while LGBTQ+ advocates argued the immediate legal impact is narrow and does not create a national ban.

After Walz condemned the Supreme Court’s decision allowing states to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports, MEAWW reported he faced a wave of criticism online.

MEAWW said Walz posted on X on June 30, writing, "As the Supreme Court says states can be cruel to trans kids, my message is clear: Here in Minnesota, we stand with and value our trans neighbors and youth,".

Fox News

Fox News reported that conservatives blasted Walz’s comment, including Minnesota Republican state Sen. Julia Coleman, who posted on X: "What’s cruel is making a teenage girl, already uncomfortable in her own skin, change in a locker room next to a naked boy".

Fox News also quoted retired Minnesota State Patrol Lt. John Nagel, running for Congress as a Republican in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, posting on X: "Once again you disregard the laws of America,".

Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported that Walz later explained Minnesota’s position would not change as a result of the ruling, saying, "We’ll continue to do that, nothing will change there."

The Guardian reported that trans youth athletes vowed to keep playing sports and fighting for equal access after the Supreme Court upheld the West Virginia and Idaho bans.

“Tim Walz torched online after calling SCOTUS trans athlete ruling 'cruel', critics hit back SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing a wave of criticism online after condemning the Supreme Court’s decision allowing states to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports”

MEAWW News

Nereyda Hernandez, described by The Guardian as a California trans rights advocate and the mother of AB Hernandez, said, "We’re not backing down,".

The Guardian quoted AB, a 17-year-old track-and-field athlete from Jurupa Valley, saying, "If I had been forced to join the boys’ team, it would just be so uncomfortable for all of us."

The Guardian also quoted Lina Haaga, a 15-year-old track athlete in Pasadena, saying, "We need to stay strong and continue fighting."

Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul said Walz argued that Minnesota can continue to treat transgender athletes and youth with dignity and humanity and respect, and that "Anything that gets kids involved, I want them to be involved."