Story perspectives

USA Powerlifting Settles Minnesota Transgender Lawsuit, Reviews Policies

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

USA Powerlifting settled the Minnesota lawsuit brought by transgender powerlifter JayCee Cooper and will review its operations in the state.
The confidential settlement provides a financial remedy to Cooper.
The case originated after Cooper was denied entry to women’s competitions in 2018 and sued under Minnesota’s Human Rights Act.
The Minnesota Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling found USA Powerlifting’s blanket ban on transgender women violated the state’s public accommodations law.

History

Historical Context

The 2025 Minnesota Supreme Court decision striking down USA Powerlifting’s ban on transgender women builds on the Supreme Court’s 5-4 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling of June 26 2015, which required all states to recognize same-sex marriages. That precedent expanded LGBTQ civil-rights protections, prompting sports federations to revise eligibility rules to avoid discrimination lawsuits.

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Story summary

USA Powerlifting settled the Minnesota lawsuit brought by transgender powerlifter JayCee Cooper and will review its operations in the state.
The confidential settlement provides a financial remedy to Cooper.
The case originated after Cooper was denied entry to women’s competitions in 2018 and sued under Minnesota’s Human Rights Act.
The Minnesota Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling found USA Powerlifting’s blanket ban on transgender women violated the state’s public accommodations law.

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