USA Powerlifting settles trans athlete discrimination case but says Minnesota is 'out of step' with science
USA Powerlifting has settled a discrimination lawsuit with transgender athlete JayCee Cooper, ending a six-year legal battle, but maintains its stance that sex-based competition categories are essential for fairness in strength sports. The Minnesota Supreme Court previously ruled the organization discriminated under state law but allowed a 'legitimate business purpose' defense. USAPL argues its position aligns with global sports standards and scientific evidence of physiological differences. The group says Minnesota is now out of step with international trends favoring sex-based categories.
- ▪USA Powerlifting settled with JayCee Cooper after a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling found the organization discriminated under the state's Human Rights Act.
- ▪The court allowed USAPL to argue a 'legitimate business purpose' defense for maintaining sex-based competition categories.
- ▪USAPL maintains that biological males retain a strength advantage even after hormone treatment, citing a 64% advantage in strength.
- ▪The organization created an 'MX Division' in 2021 for transgender and nonbinary athletes while preserving male and female categories.
- ▪USAPL claims the ruling puts Minnesota at odds with international sports bodies, including the IOC, which are adopting sex-based eligibility policies.
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OutKick USA Powerlifting settles trans athlete discrimination case but says Minnesota is 'out of step' with science Minnesota Supreme Court found USAPL discriminated under state law but allowed a 'legitimate business purpose' defense By Amber Harding OutKick Published April 28, 2026 12:16pm EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video MN Supreme Court rules USA Powerlifting 'discriminated' against trans athletes Republican political strategist Katie Zacharia weighs in after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of a transgender athlete, stating that USA Powerlifting's policy to exclude transgender women from the women's division is 'discriminatory.' USA Powerlifting has reached a settlement with trans-identifying male powerlifter…
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