A state Supreme Court decision impacts transgender athletes. Then, greater Minnesota is getting a boost in housing and infrastructure, and a major national tradeshow moves to the Twin Cities.
—–Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producer: Katherine DeCelle Anchor: Grace JacobsonReader scripting: Victor Palomino Fact checking: Joel Glaser, Victor Palomino Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood
Transcript
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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.
ANCHOR: A state Supreme Court decision impacts transgender athletes. Then, greater Minnesota is getting a boost in housing and infrastructure. And, a major national tradeshow moves to the Twin Cities
I'm Gracie J.
Ten northern Minnesota communities are receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grants for housing, infrastructure, and commercial rehabilitation projects, according to AMPERS member station KAXE. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner says the grants will help strengthen local economies and improve the quality of life, ensuring Minnesotans have safe and healthy homes no matter where they live.
Next, the Minnesota Supreme Court made a landmark decision supporting the rights of transgender athletes. Katharine DeCelle has more about the case and the reactions to the ruling.
Sen. Erin Maye Quade: The decision was unanimous. It was historic.
Katharine DeCelle: That's Minnesota Senator Erin Maye Quade, who also serves as an advisor at Gender Justice, a legal and policy nonprofit advocating for gender equity. Senator Quade is referring to a recent ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court in the case of Cooper v USA Powerlifting.
Sen. Erin Maye Quade: Gender Justice took this case back in 2019 because we knew even then that there was a messaging campaign orchestrated by anti-LGBTQ hate groups to deny trans people basic rights.
Katharine DeCelle: In 2019, Minnesota athlete JayCee Cooper applied to join USA Powerlifting, a nonprofit organization that organizes competitions for athletes competing in powerlifting, a strength sport with the goal of lifting a maximum amount of weight. Jess Braverman is the legal director at Gender Justice and an attorney for JayCee Cooper.
Jess Braverman: JayCee Cooper got a membership card to compete in the female category. She's a woman, and everything was fine until it came time for her to sign up for some competitions.
Katharine DeCelle: It was then that USA Powerlifting found out JayCee was trans and would not let her compete.
Jess Braverman: They said, "We do not allow transgender athletes to compete in any women's events." They had a policy of banning transgender women from women's events.
Katharine DeCelle: JayCee went to Gender Justice for help. What followed was a four-year legal battle that went to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Jess Braverman: We brought a lawsuit under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, suing USA Powerlifting for discriminating against JayCee based on the fact that she's transgender.
Katharine DeCelle: The Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, education and public accommodations based on race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Ansis Viksnins: This case was really not motivated by any type of discriminatory motive based on Ms. Cooper's gender identity.
Katharine DeCelle: In their defense, USA Powerlifting attorney Ansis Viksnins presented scientific studies to the claim that athletes assigned male at birth maintain a performance advantage over athletes assigned female at birth.
Ansis Viksnins: It had everything to do with the fact that she's bigger and stronger than most of the women who want to compete in the women's division.
Katharine DeCelle: Last month, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of JayCee Cooper, saying that USA Powerlifting discriminated against her. USA Powerlifting will now have to change their policy or they cannot operate in Minnesota. Gender Justice and supporters of JayCee say they hope Minnesota can be a role model for other states in the inclusion, celebration and protection of transgender athletes. For North Star Stories, I'm Katharine DeCelle.
ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.
North America's largest outdoor industry gathering, The Outdoor Retailer Show, is moving to Minneapolis in August of next year. The event will feature new collaborations, innovation showcases, and sustainability discussions through a "Leadership Village" led by athletes and industry experts. Organizers say the move highlights Minnesota's $13.5 billion outdoor recreation economy and strong business community. Local leaders say hosting Outdoor Retailer will boost jobs, partnerships, and innovation across the outdoor industry.
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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.