A biologically male powerlifter named JayCee Cooper can compete against female athletes, a Minnesota District Court judge ruled Monday.
Gender Justice filed a complaint against USA Powerlifting after the group announced a 2019 policy to bar biological men from competing against women on January 12, 2021.
“USAPL discriminated against JayCee Cooper, and continues to do so, because she is a transgender woman, in violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act,” the group wrote in their complaint. (RELATED: Trans Activist Calls The Fact That Men Are Stronger Than Women ‘Incredibly Offensive’)
A District Court judge ruled in favor of Cooper Monday, writing that USA Powerlifting discriminated by segregating Cooper from other female powerlifters and “treating a person as if their self-identity and their self-image is unimportant and less than.”
“Cooper was discriminated because of her sexual orientation and because of her sex,” Judge Patrick C. Diamond ruled.
To be clear, pursuing legal remedy only goes so far and is especially taxing on those who have experienced harm. Trans folks (find rest) and particularly our allies need to be vigilant, courageous, and outspoken in the face of anti-trans violence and fascist rhetoric EVERY DAY.
— JayCee Cooper (@jayceeisalive) March 1, 2023
The ruling requires that USA Powerlifting amend its policy to allow transgender people to compete along with other members of their self-identities sex.
USA Powerlifting did not respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment on the judge’s ruling.
Men are upending women’s athletic competitions across the country. Trans swimmer Lia Thomas made headlines last year after he beat out female competitors by 1.75 seconds in NCAA championships. He finished a lap ahead of his competition at another race in February. Female athletes have blasted Thomas for competing against them, saying he has an unfair advantage over them.
A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that even after a year of hormone therapy, biological men still hold an edge over women. A Washington Post poll found that less than one-third of Americans think transgender athletes should compete in female sports.