A settlement has been finalized in a high-profile case involving transgender athlete JayCee Cooper and USA Powerlifting, following a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that found the organization violated the state’s Human Rights Act by barring Cooper from competition.
The Legal Director at Gender Justice, which represented Cooper, announced the settlement and stated, “We celebrate this victory, but we also remain vigilant and ready to take action to ensure that all Minnesotans, including transgender Minnesotans, can participate in sports, schools, employment, and health care without facing discrimination because of who they are.”
“What the plaintiffs cast as a victory for transgender rights is a ruling that has forced Minnesota to take a step backward for women, fair competition and common sense,” former USA Powerlifting president and national women’s powerlifting coach Larry Maile said. “We continue to believe strongly in the merits of our case, which are supported by global competition standards and bipartisan public sentiment. But left with few legal options, settlement is in the best interests of the organization.”
The case began after Cooper, a transgender woman, was denied entry into two women’s powerlifting competitions in 2018. Cooper sued, arguing that the exclusion amounted to discrimination under Minnesota law. USA Powerlifting maintained that its policy was based on what it described as “strength advantages” related to sex assigned at birth, not transgender status.
In October 2025, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that USA Powerlifting’s policy of categorically excluding transgender women from the women’s division constituted discrimination in public accommodations. The court noted that, at the time of its decision, USA Powerlifting did not have a formal written policy but did exclude transgender women from competition.
The court also sent a separate business discrimination claim back to a lower court for further proceedings, instructing that USA Powerlifting would need to demonstrate that its policy was reasonably necessary for its business mission and not based on stereotypes.
The finalized settlement marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over transgender athletes’ participation in sports and the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in Minnesota.
The exact details surrounding the settlement were not immediately available.
USA Powerlifting said in a statement it “has made no decision yet on next steps in its Minnesota operations to comply with the recent ruling, but organization leadership will review the matter in the coming weeks.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jaycee-cooper-transgender-usa-powerlifting-settlement-minnesota/
