USA Powerlifting has come to an agreement with Jaycee Cooper, a transgender male powerlifter, putting an end to a lengthy legal dispute that spanned over six years. However, the organization made it clear on Tuesday that it still stands firm on its views regarding gender-based competition.
In a statement shared with Outkick and other media, USA Powerlifting expressed that the lawsuit raised concerns about their ability to uphold physiological categories for men and women to ensure fairness in strength sports.
This settlement follows a complex ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court in October, which acknowledged that USA Powerlifting discriminated against Cooper based on state human rights laws but allowed the organization to defend its policy under a “legitimate business purpose.” Ultimately, they opted to settle rather than continue their legal battles.
“We still believe in the validity of this case, supported by global competition standards and bipartisan public opinion,” stated Larry Mayle, former president of USAPL and women’s national powerlifting coach. “But given the few legal options available, a settlement is the most sensible course for the organization.”
USAPL: It’s about biology, not identity
From the outset, USA Powerlifting has insisted that their policies are fundamentally based on biological differences rather than gender identity. They have previously stated, “Our policy stems from the undeniable reality that men typically have greater strength than women.”
Research mentioned in the lawsuit indicates that even after testosterone suppression, biological males maintain considerable advantages in muscle strength, an essential factor in a sport focused on lifting the heaviest weights.
In an attempt to find a middle ground between inclusion and fairness, USAPL established an “MX division” for transgender and non-binary athletes in 2021. However, they maintained separate categories for men and women. “They aim to find ways to include transgender athletes without completely upending competitive divisions,” noted attorney Anthis Vikunins.
Timing of the settlement
It’s worth noting that this settlement coincides with a trend among international governing bodies leaning towards gender-specific norms, including the International Olympic Committee, which has recently introduced a policy to prevent transgender individuals assigned male at birth from competing in women’s events.
“As organizations worldwide increasingly formalize gender-based competition categories, the Minnesota ruling puts the state at odds with national and international standards,” USAPL said. Mayle expressed concern about the ruling’s implications, stating that what plaintiffs view as a win for transgender rights could undermine women’s sports and fair competition.
Court case without a jury
A significant concern for USA Powerlifting was the forfeited opportunity to present their case to a jury. The organization’s representatives indicated that Cooper’s attorneys now plan to withdraw a motion that may have enabled a jury trial, effectively closing that chapter for USAPL.
“This lawsuit robbed USAPL of the chance to argue in front of a jury that transgender women possess an inherent strength advantage in powerlifting, thus validating the need for gender-based categories,” the group stated.
Looking ahead
USA Powerlifting has not yet determined how it will respond in Minnesota following the settlement and court decision, stating they’ll explore options in the coming weeks. Operations in other states, however, remain unaffected.
Still, the organization is vocal about its belief that broader issues are far from settled. “Minnesota continues to deviate from irrefutable science showing that male-born athletes have a 64 percent advantage in strength,” Maile asserted.
Despite the legal ramifications, USAPL’s stance persists: “Categories are essential when fairness defines sports.”
