Transgender powerlifter JayCee Cooper of Minnesota has filed a discrimination lawsuit against USA Powerlifting and the association's state chapter, alleging its policies preventing transgender women from competition are contrary to state anti-discrimination law and the guidelines of international powerlifting itself. "Trans athletes across the country deserve the same rights and protections as everyone else, and we deserve equitable opportunities to compete in the sports we love," Cooper said when announcing the lawsuit Tuesday, January 12. "I jumped through every hoop, cleared every hurdle to be able to compete with USA Powerlifting, but was met with a retroactive ban on trans athletes. I'm going to fight as hard as I can to ensure that every trans athlete has the opportunity to compete and be recognized with full dignity and humanity."