USA Powerlifting discriminated by barring male from women's competition: Minnesota's top court

The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that USA Powerlifting discriminated against a trans-identified athlete by not letting him compete in its women's division.

In a decision last week, the state high court concluded that USAPL violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act by barring JayCee Cooper from competing in the women's division.

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, who was appointed by former Democratic vice presidential hopeful Gov. Tim Walz, authored the majority opinion.

The opinion rejects Cooper's claim of discrimination in business, but affirmed the lower court's claim of discrimination based on sexual orientation for public accommodation.

"We agree with Cooper that USA Powerlifting's policy is discriminatory on its face; there is therefore no genuine dispute that USA Powerlifting discriminated against Cooper because of her transgender status," wrote Hudson.

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