‘It’s Not Fair’: Male Weightlifter Blocked from Competing as Transgender Female

A biological male who identifies as a transgender female is fighting for the right to compete in competitive weightlifting but is facing stiff opposition from the sport’s largest governing body. 

JayCee Cooper, 31, has lifted in several powerlifting competitions but was told by USA Powerlifting that male-to-female transgender people have a “direct competitive advantage.” Cooper was barred from USA Powerlifting’s female meets. 

“In a world that wants to take away our power and strength,” Cooper told NBC, “powerlifting is a way to gain that strength back and feel powerful and feel ownership of our own lives. It helps us find strength within ourselves and helps us find strength within our bodies.”

Cooper hopes USA Powerlifting changes its position. 

“I really do love this sport, and it’s not fair to genetically eliminate an entire group of people,” Cooper said. 

USA Powerlifting is scheduled to discuss its rule on transgender athletes May 9. So far, though, the body says Cooper would have an unfair advantage.

“Male-to-female transgenders are not allowed to compete as females in our static strength sport as it is a direct competitive advantage,” USA Powerlifting’s Dr. Kristopher Hunt told Cooper in one email.

Hunt added in a follow-up email, “The fact that transgender male to female individuals having gone through…