USA Powerlifting ‘discriminated’ by maintaining  sex-based divisions

Republican candidate for Governor Kristin Robbins criticized the Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling in Cooper vs. USA Powerlifting, and promised to undo the harm she said it creates if she becomes Governor.

“Today, the Minnesota Supreme Court allowed Tim Walz and Keith Ellison’s war against women to continue,” said Robbins. “The Court’s decision penalizes USA Powerlifting for its decision to prohibit biological men from competing against women. This is a violation of common sense as well as both state and federal law. This isn’t complicated. Men are men, and women are women, and no decision by a court can undo obvious biological reality. I will continue to oppose Tim Walz and fight to ensure that women have a fair opportunity to compete and win against their own sex, and are not forced to play against men.”

Robbins, a mother of three daughters, has been a leader in protecting women and girls against the overreach of Tim Walz and the radical left. Earlier this year, she introduced The Preserving Girls’ Sports Act, or HF 12, which would ensure only biological females compete in girls’ sports.

“Tim Walz has bowed to a small group of radicals seeking to redefine biology and deny women their ability to compete and win,” Robbins added. “As Governor, I will make it abundantly clear that Minnesota supports and protects women and girls in their bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports competitions. My Administration will put an end to this insanity, and restore common sense to Minnesota.”

Responding to Minnesota Supreme Court having ruled USA Powerlifting “discriminated” against a transgender athlete by maintaining sex-based competition categories, the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) released the following statement:

“The Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling that USA Powerlifting ‘discriminated’ by maintaining sex-based divisions is deeply disappointing and poses a serious threat to the future of women’s sports in Minnesota.

The Upper Midwest Law Center, alongside the Independent Women’s Forum, proudly filed an amicus brief in this case to defend USA Powerlifting’s common-sense position that women’s sports must remain for women. This is not a question of ideology—it’s a question of fairness and safety.

Biological males have undeniable physical advantages that make competition inherently unequal. Allowing men to compete in women’s sports erases decades of progress under Title IX and endangers female athletes. As Independent Women’s Forum ambassador Payton McNabb’s story makes painfully clear, forcing women and girls to compete against men can have devastating and lasting consequences.

While the Court’s decision finds USA Powerlifting’s policy ‘discriminatory,’ it also leaves open an important question—whether the organization’s policy has a legitimate business purpose, including the protection of fairness and safety. We believe it clearly does.”