Overview
- In a unanimous opinion, the court said USA Powerlifting’s categorical exclusion of transgender women from the women’s division is "facially discriminatory" under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
- JayCee Cooper prevailed on her public-accommodations claim, with the justices finding no genuine dispute that she was barred because of her transgender status.
- The justices remanded a narrower issue to the trial court to decide whether USA Powerlifting can justify its policy as reasonably necessary to its mission under the statute’s business-purpose defense.
- Gender Justice hailed the ruling as securing relief on the public-accommodations claim, while USA Powerlifting called the decision mixed and said it will present fairness evidence at the next stage.
- The ruling interprets Minnesota law and does not automatically change school sports rules or federal Title IX enforcement, though it may be cited by courts considering similar disputes.