Fighting for trans rights

March 10, 2023

Dear Friend,

This past weekend at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a speaker called for “transgenderism [sic] [to] be eradicated from public life entirely.”

At Gender Justice, we know that hateful rhetoric such as this plants the seeds for discrimination and harm toward transgender people, including anti-trans legislation proliferating across the country.

Gender Justice condemns this statement, as we condemn all attempts to dehumanize, isolate, other, and harm trans people. And we will not stop fighting for a community and world where trans people can participate fully, authentically and proudly—free from hateful rhetoric, discrimination, and violence.

Keep reading for more news from our team.

Landmark Victory in Cooper vs. USAPL in the News

Last week, we were thrilled to announce a huge win for transgender rights in sports when we received a favorable summary judgment ruling in Cooper vs. USA Powerlifting. Our client, JayCee Cooper, our legal team, and advocates have been making the news as word of the victory spreads around the country:

• Cheryl Reeve, Head Coach of the Minnesota Lynx, published an op-ed in the Star Tribune shortly after the decision: “The ruling will ensure transgender women can compete in powerlifting, and sends a clear message that banning trans women from women’s sport is unlawful discrimination in our state.”
• Legal Director Jess Braverman, on Minnesota Public Radio: “I hope that sports organizations will put forward trans-inclusive policies because it’s the right thing to do and because it makes women’s sports stronger.”
• The Gender Justice Brief podcast featured JayCee Cooper, Jess Braverman, and Special Projects Advisor Erin Maye Quade in our latest episode celebrating the win and what it means for trans rights in sports.

Governor Walz Signs Executive Order Making Minnesota a “Trans Refuge State”

Governor Walz signed an executive order this week making Minnesota a trans refuge state! Gender Justice staff were at the signing to celebrate this moment for trans rights in Minnesota. As the states that surround us attempt to ignore or erase the existence of transgender and gender expansive people, Minnesota offers concrete protection, starting with this executive order. The Trans Refuge Bill HF146/SF63 is still moving at the legislature.

This could not have happened without the courageous and sustained advocacy of the many individuals and families withstanding continued attacks on their existence, or without the champions in the legislature heading up Minnesota’s first-ever Queer Caucus. Contact your legislator.

Reflecting on Gender Justice Action

Last summer, Gender Justice launched Gender Justice Action (GJA), a 501(c)4 political non-profit organization focused on responding to our country’s national abortion crisis by electing pro-reproductive freedom champions and spearheading real legislative action.

Thanks to our organizers, canvassers, donors, and supporters, we won all but two districts of our targeted races!

The next phase of our work has begun at the Legislature, where we are advancing the boldest reproductive freedom agenda in Minnesota history by drafting bills, training legislators and advocates, mobilizing grassroots support, and more.

Our Crisis Pregnancy Center Work in the News

At the Capitol, Gender Justice and UnRestrict Minnesota have been advocating for The Positive Pregnancies Support Act. This bill would stop fraudulent CPCs from receiving state funds and ensure that money goes to evidence-based care and support services. The bill, sponsored by Reproductive Freedom Caucus member Representative Liz Olson, would ensure that our state isn’t propping up places that do harm.

This important legislation was recently covered in ProPublica and featured interviews with our Executive Director Megan Peterson in addition to other experts who have studied anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers.” The coverage also includes the Designed to Deceive report on CPCs, which Gender Justice co-authored.

We are hiring – help spread the word!

Senior Staff Attorney: new position for an experienced, creative, and brave litigator to join Gender Justice’s award-winning legal team.

Communications Manager: new position helping to plan and implement strategic communications at a pivotal moment for gender equity and reproductive freedom.

Finance and Administration Director: responsible for financial strategy and leadership, budget and financial analytics, program-specific financial management, as well as Human Resource oversight.

Institutional Giving Manager: new integral role helping to plan and implement a fundraising strategy for a rapidly growing multi-million dollar organization.

Thank you for reading!
–The Gender Justice Team