Minnesota State High School League agrees to settlement in ‘girls only’ dance team rule

Maplewood, Minnesota; April 22, 2019: The Minnesota State High School League has agreed to permanently rescind its discriminatory rule that kept Dmitri Moua and Zach Greenwald sidelined during high school dance competitions. The League’s move comes in the wake of a preliminary injunction recently issued by a federal appellate court against the enforcement of its bylaws that declare competitive dance a “girls only” sport.

“We are extremely pleased with the League’s decision to rescind the discriminatory rule,” said PLF Senior Attorney Joshua Thompson. “For us, this case has always been about giving all Minnesota students the opportunity to dance. This settlement ensures that not only will our clients get to dance this year, but so will boys statewide. We are grateful for Dimitri and Zach’s courage to fight for their constitutional rights and are proud of their accomplishment.”

In their lawsuit filed last July, Dmitri, a Roseville High School 11th-grader, and Zach, a Hopkins High School 11th-grader, argued that the Constitution’s equal protection guarantee protects them from blatant sex-based discrimination.

Pacific Legal Foundation represents Dmitri and Zach free of charge. More information is available at pacificlegal.org/dance.