ST PAUL, Minn. — After training for USA Women's Powerlifting competitions, JayCee Cooper was denied entry.
So she sued - represented by Gender Justice - claiming that USA Powerlifting banned her from competition because Cooper is transgender. In 2023, she won a judgement with a Ramsey County judge ruling that the organization had discriminated against her.
Then in March of this year, the Minnesota Court of Appeals partially upheld the decision and found that discrimination against athletes based on gender identity violates the Minnesota Human Rights Act. But they returned the case to district court to determine if USA Powerlifting actually did deny Cooper based on the fact that she is transgender.
Now at the Supreme Court level, the case promises to have an impact on the rights of trans athletes across Minnesota, according to a press release from Gender Justice.
"The Minnesota Supreme Court's decision to hear this case is a promising step toward justice for JayCee Cooper and all transgender athletes,” said Jess Braverman, legal director for Gender Justice.
KARE 11 reached out to USA Powerlifting Minnesota for a comment and has yet to hear back.