Cooper v. USA Powerlifting:
Minnesota Supreme Court to hear landmark case on discrimination against transgender athletes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2024
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Noah Parrish, Communications Director
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Following lower court rulings affirming illegality of discrimination against transgender athletes, Gender Justice expresses confidence that Supreme Court will vindicate rights of transgender athletes across Minnesota
Last week, the Minnesota Supreme Court announced it will hear the case of a transgender woman denied entry into USA Powerlifting competitions — a landmark case with sweeping implications for the rights of transgender athletes under Minnesota law.
JayCee Cooper, a transgender woman who was denied entry into women’s competitions hosted by USA Powerlifting (USAPL), initially filed the lawsuit against USAPL in Ramsey County District Court in 2021. Represented by Gender Justice and the law firms Nichols Kaster and Premo Frank, Ms. Cooper had previously filed charges with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in 2019, seeking protection from discrimination and a clear, fair standard that would allow all transgender athletes the opportunity to compete in the category of their gender identity.
In February 2023, the district court issued a favorable summary judgment decision finding that Ms. Cooper had indeed been discriminated against. In March 2024, the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed that discrimination against athletes based on gender identity violates the Minnesota Human Rights Act, but sent the case back to a district court to determine whether USAPL rejected Ms. Cooper because she is transgender.
“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. “No one should be denied the opportunity to pursue their dreams and ambitions simply because of who they are. Our laws are supposed to protect all Minnesotans, including transgender Minnesotans, from discrimination. It is clear that Ms. Cooper faced discrimination specifically because she is a transgender athlete, and we are confident the court will agree.”
Attorneys on the case are Jess Braverman, Christy Hall, and Sara Jane Baldwin of Gender Justice; David Schlesinger and Riley Palmer of Nichols Kaster; and Matt Frank of Premo Frank.
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Gender Justice is a legal and policy advocacy organization dedicated to advancing gender equity through the law. Our vision is for a world where people of all genders, gender identities and expressions, and sexual orientations have the opportunity to thrive. We work towards our vision through impact litigation, advocacy, movement building, and public education.
Nichols Kaster, PLLP fiercely advocates for the rights of all people who have been wronged by powerful employers, corporations, and governments. Our renowned legal team represents individuals and classes from across the country in actions involving illegal workplace conduct, wage theft, civil rights violations, and more. For nearly 50 years, Nichols Kaster, PLLP has been on the cutting edge of the law.
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