Minnesota Supreme Court Rules USA Powerlifting Discriminated Against Transgender Athletes

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that USA Powerlifting discriminated against transgender athlete JayCee Cooper by barring her from competing in the women's division, violating the Minnesota Human Rights Act which protects against gender identity discrimination. The court affirmed that such policies are facially discriminatory under the state's anti-discrimination laws but remanded part of the case to a lower court to assess whether the organization's exclusion policy serves a legitimate business purpose, specifically related to competitive fairness. This landmark decision reinforces transgender athletes' rights to participate in sports without discrimination and extends protections under the Minnesota Human Rights Act to all public accommodations. Advocates highlight the broader impact of this ruling as a precedent for equity in various public domains beyond sports. Despite this victory, transgender rights remain challenged nationwide amid ongoing anti-trans legislation. The ruling is seen as a significant advancement for LGBTQ+ rights and sets a legal benchmark for combating discrimination in Minnesota.