Three Things to Know About the Landmark Cooper v. USA Powerlifting Win

On October 22, 2025, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a historic, unanimous decision in Cooper v. USA Powerlifting. This ruling not only powerfully asserted the rights of transgender athletes to fully participate in sports, it explicitly affirmed transgender Minnesotans’ dignity and place in our state.

The day after the ruling, we invited community members to a briefing breaking down this landmark decision and its impact.

Here are three key takeaways:

Trans Inclusion in Sports is Required by Law and Supported by Athletes

This decision affirmed that trans inclusion in sports is not up for debate in Minnesota — it is simply the law. Amidst a climate where anti-trans rhetoric and political scapegoating are becoming dangerously normalized, this ruling is a powerful assertion of justice, human rights, and common sense.

Athletes are also making their voices heard: they just want to play, together. Over 2,000 athletes, coaches, and advocates have signed our open letter supporting trans inclusion in sports, and when our client in this case faced anti-trans discrimination from USA Powerlifting, many of her cisgender teammates stood with her — and were banned for life from USA Powerlifting events.

“Excluding trans athletes doesn’t protect fairness in sports. It actually creates more dangerous spaces for everyone in sports,” shared Chris Mosier, the first transgender athlete to represent the U.S. in international competition, during the briefing. “When we block certain people from participating authentically, we damage the entire foundation of what sports is really supposed to represent.”

He added, “research consistently shows that affirming and supporting teams perform better when every athlete can show up as their true and authentic self. So, teams that embrace diversity don’t just win at inclusion, they win more games too. As a result, our teams and our communities become stronger, and that’s really what this is about.”

This Decision’s Impact Extends Well Beyond Sports

This ruling said loud and clear: Minnesota’s strong anti-discrimination laws must be followed by all “public accommodations” in our state — that includes places and entities like sports organizations, movie theaters, restaurants, and effectively any business that serves the public.

In a time where our trans neighbors are facing increasing public attacks on their safety, dignity, and right to belong, this is a huge win for transgender rights. It’s also a major victory for all Minnesotans, asserting the right of every person to equally access opportunities and spaces where they can thrive.

This Work is Not Over — And You Have a Critical Role to Play!

This ruling is an amazing win that sets a powerful precedent, but we know that our work is far from done. This case is a striking reminder of what we can accomplish, together. Here’s how you can keep the momentum going:

• Sign up for a Trans Equity Training, empowering allies to have effective conversations in support of trans rights, discover ways to take action, and connect with others passionate about the fight for trans equity and empowerment.
• Check out our Trans Inclusion in Sports Toolkit for in-depth information and resources.
• Encourage your school board members to sign our open letter in support of trans students’ right to participate fully, equally, and freely in school sports.
• Contact your state legislators and let them know you support trans inclusion and equity in Minnesota! We’re anticipating a tough legislative session, and we need our representatives to know where we stand. Don’t know who represents you? Find out!
• Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on all the latest news and action steps!