Advocacy:
2,000+ athletes, coaches, and advocates stand up for trans inclusion in sports
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2025
CONTACT
Noah Parrish, Communications Director
[email protected]
651.432.0171
Open Letter Released Ahead of Minnesota Supreme Court Ruling in Cooper v. USA Powerlifting
In a powerful show of solidarity, over 2,000 athletes, coaches, parents, and advocates have signed a letter calling for trans inclusion in sports. Signers include R.K. Russell, the first openly gay NFL player; Brianna Turner of the Indiana Fever (WNBA); Chelsea Wolfe, BMX cyclist and U.S. Olympian; C.J. Jackson, professional hockey player in the PWHL; and Maya Reddy, professional golfer and former collegiate athlete, and many more.
The open letter, addressed to lawmakers and sports organizations, was released ahead of an expected ruling today from the Minnesota Supreme Court in Cooper v. USA Powerlifting—a landmark case challenging USA Powerlifting’s discriminatory ban on transgender athletes that could affirm the rights of trans athletes to compete in Minnesota under the state’s Human Rights Act.
Other signers also include high school and collegiate athletes, parents, and coaches committed to fostering inclusion across all levels of sports. Together, these signatories represent a wide array of sports—from Olympic athletes and WNBA players to professional triathletes, soccer players, hockey players, cyclists, and golfers, all uniting for one common goal: ensuring that transgender athletes have the same opportunities to compete as everyone else.
You can view the full letter and signers here.
Select Quotes from Letter Signers:
“As an athlete, I know firsthand that sports are about discipline, teamwork, and pushing yourself to be your best—not about excluding people because of who they are,” said Chris Mosier, the first transgender athlete to represent the U.S. in international competition. “Trans athletes belong in sports at every level, and we won’t accept policies rooted in fear instead of fairness.”
“Targeting trans athletes is not just misguided, it’s harmful. As a cisgender athlete and mother, I see this for what it is: a dog whistle used to restrict the participation of women and girls in sports,” said Kate McMillan Larson, former Division I swimmer at the University of Minnesota. “When I was young, my mom fought for equal opportunities for me and other female athletes. I went on to swim Division I on scholarship and qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Now, as a parent myself, I’m using my voice to ensure all athletes, including trans athletes, have the same chance to compete and succeed.”
“As a coach and parent, the only thing I want for my kids—all kids, really—is for them to play the sports they are passionate and enthusiastic about. You can teach the fundamentals, but you can’t teach passion and enthusiasm,” said David Zeller, president of Wonderwall, MNUFC’s supporter umbrella group. “Depriving trans athletes of pursuing their passion and enthusiasm is extremely hateful and that has no place in Minnesota. Everyone deserves to play!”
“I’m proud to stand with trans athletes because they are valued, they deserve to be here, and every student should have the chance to experience the same joy, challenge, and belonging that sports have given me and so many others,” said Kara Cowell, former Division II swimmer at St. Cloud State University. “We need to focus on creating more opportunities for all who want to participate in sports—not adding more restrictions that suggest our victories only matter if others are excluded. That’s not the sport I know, and it’s not the sport that shaped me.”
View the open letter here.
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