The Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Wednesday that USA Powerlifting’s disqualification of a transgender athlete in its women’s sports division constitutes discrimination.
The ruling handed a win to JayCee Cooper, who sued the powerlifting organization in 2021 for rejecting an application the athlete made to compete in a women’s competition in 2018. The plaintiff alleged the defendant’s move violated Minnesota’s Human Rights Act. The state law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, among other protected classes.
The Minnesota justices agreed with Cooper’s case, saying USA Powerlifting intended to “categorically exclude transgender women from competing in the women’s division.”
“Because USA Powerlifting’s facially discriminatory policy provides direct evidence of discriminatory motive, there is no genuine issue of material fact as to whether Cooper’s transgender status actually motivated USA Powerlifting’s decision to prohibit Cooper from competing,” Chief Justice Natalie Hudson wrote. “We therefore reverse the part of the court of appeals’ decision on this issue.”
Another part of the lower court ruling pertains to whether USA Powerlifting had a “legitimate business purpose” for excluding the athlete. The court sent that aspect of the case back to a lower court, while agreeing with the plaintiff’s primary claim.
“We agree with Cooper that USA Powerlifting’s policy is discriminatory on its face,” Hudson said. “There is therefore no genuine dispute that USA Powerlifting discriminated against Cooper because of her transgender status.”
In response to the decision, USA Powerlifting said it was “pleased” to still have the claim of business discrimination to dispute but that it was “disappointed” with the other findings.
“Our goal since litigation commenced against USA Powerlifting (USAPL) in 2021 was to present all the facts and evidence of our actions to a jury,” the organization told OutKick. “We are pleased that both of Minnesota’s state appellate courts agree we have a right to present a claim of business discrimination to a jury and look forward to offering our evidence toward that end.”
USA Powerlifting maintains its position that allowing transgender athletes who were born male to compete in women’s competitions would disadvantage female competitors.
Minnesota’s highest court determined that the argument could be a “genuine” defense for USA Powerlifting’s policy and decided to remand that part of the discrimination case.
Still, the plaintiff’s legal team took Wednesday’s ruling as a victory.
“Even if we took the business claim to its end and even if USA powerlifting were successful on that, they would still lose public accommodations and be liable to her for discrimination,” Jess Braverman, legal director at Gender Justice, said. “So no matter what, this court found that USA Powerlifting discriminated and violated Minnesota law.”
Meanwhile, Minnesota Republicans criticized the ruling as an attack against women’s rights in sports.
“This isn’t complicated. Men are men, and women are women, and no decision by a court can undo obvious biological reality,” Minnesota State Rep. Kristin Robbins said in a statement.
The Republican lawmaker is running against Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) in next year’s gubernatorial election. The incumbent is seeking a third term.
“As Governor, I will make it abundantly clear that Minnesota supports and protects women and girls in their bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports competitions,” Robbins added. “My Administration will put an end to this insanity, and restore common sense to Minnesota.”