The Minnesota State High School League is considering a new proposal to create guidelines for transgender athletes, allowing them to play on the gender specific team with which they identify.

For example, a student who has transitioned or is transitioning from a male to a female gender identity would be able to play on a girls’ sports team instead of a boys’ team.

Minnesota is one of the few states remaining without these types of guidelines. Many states such as California and Colorado already have provisions that provide guidance when it comes to transgender athletes, according to John Millea, media specialist for the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).

“We’re kind of behind the times (with this),” Millea said. “It’s basically to give schools guidelines if you have an athlete who is transgender, what are the steps you should take.”

Millea said the policy gives schools a way to understand and approach the issue rather than forcing school districts to comply with specific guidelines.

“(It’s) just guidelines, there’s no enforcement,” Millea said. “It just gives administrators some checkpoints to follow.”

Millea also said while certain schools may have a procedure for these situations, there are other schools that could benefit from increased direction.

“There’s probably some schools that are dealing with this that already have a plan, but I’m sure most schools haven’t dealt with this and would like some guidance,” Millea said.

Sophomore Chloe O’Gara said she supports the idea and thinks the proposal should be enforced.

“I definitely think that it’s a good thing,” O’Gara said. “You don’t want to feel isolated, so you should (be able to) go where you fit in.”

Sophomore Richard Green said the guidelines make sense and a student’s skill should be the determining factor rather than their gender.

“I guess they should if they’re good enough to make the team, gender shouldn’t matter,” Green said.

After delaying the first scheduled vote on the guidelines Oct. 2, the MSHSL will be officially deciding on the proposal Dec. 4.