Trending Now - Minnesota Powerlifting Case Ends in Settlement for Trans Athlete

WHO:

CBS News - JayCee Cooper, a trans-identifying male powerlifter, was involved in the case against USA Powerlifting.

Fox News - Larry Maile, former president of USA Powerlifting and national women’s powerlifting coach, commented on the case.

WHAT:

CBS News - A settlement was reached in the case where the Minnesota Supreme Court found USA Powerlifting violated the state's Human Rights Act.

Fox News - USA Powerlifting settled with JayCee Cooper after a legal battle that lasted more than six years.

Fox News - The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that USA Powerlifting discriminated against Cooper while allowing the organization to argue its policy was justified under a "legitimate business purpose" defense.

Fox News - USA Powerlifting stated that it believes in the merits of its case, which is supported by global competition standards and bipartisan public sentiment.

WHERE:

CBS News - The case was adjudicated in Minnesota.

Fox News - USA Powerlifting's operations in other states are unaffected by the ruling.

WHEN:

Fox News - The settlement follows a ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court in October.

WHY:

Fox News - USA Powerlifting argued that its policy is based on the biological differences between male and female athletes, stating that "men are generally stronger than women."

Fox News - The organization created an "MX Division" in 2021 for transgender and nonbinary athletes to balance inclusion and fairness while maintaining separate male and female categories.

HOW:

Fox News - USA Powerlifting opted to resolve the case rather than continue down the legal path.

Fox News - The organization indicated that Cooper’s legal team had dropped a claim that would have allowed the case to go to a jury, closing the door on that option for USA Powerlifting.

(UPDATED April 28, 2026 23:23 UTC)

A settlement has been reached in the case involving JayCee Cooper, a trans-identifying male powerlifter, against USA Powerlifting, after the Minnesota Supreme Court found the organization violated the state's Human Rights Act. The court ruled that USA Powerlifting discriminated against Cooper, although the organization maintained that its policies were justified by a "legitimate business purpose" defense, citing biological differences between male and female athletes. Following more than six years of legal battles, USA Powerlifting decided to settle rather than pursue further litigation, as Cooper's legal team dropped a claim that would have allowed the case to go to a jury.