EDITOR’S NOTE: The number of powerlifters who took part in the protest has been updated to 14 based on new information from those in attendance.
A memorable 2011 ad for a fitness gym poked fun about weightlifters who “lift things up and put them down.” But in Minnesota this past weekend, a team of powerlifters lifted nothing, which is news because it happened during the USA Powerlifting’s Minnesota State Championships.
They did so in protest of USAPL ban on transgender competitors, specifically powerlifter JayCee Cooper, a Minnesota trans woman.
As Planet Transgender first reported, the powerlifters took the platform but didn’t lift; instead, they let their time expire. There were 14 protesters in all.
The protesters were largely members of Team Green, a powerlifting team from The Movement Minneapolis Gym, reported Muscle and Fitness, and they wore green singlets. Others came from Solcana Fitness, and other gyms.
Their show of support was captured on Instagram by @riahgoeshamm of Hamm Media.
“I had the absolute honor to document the individuals that decided to time out their lifts, in protest to @usapowerlifting ‘s ban on trans athletes. Lots of emotions, but just feeling extra grateful that I was able to freeze these powerful moments in time.”
Cooper, forced to watch from the sidelines because of the ban, applauded her supporters with tears in her eyes, reported planettransgender.com. She posted this message of thanks and defiance on Instagram:
“Saturday morning started with minuscule pockets of people in the crowd booing at dissenting lifters timing out their attempts,” Cooper wrote on Instagram. “This quickly ceased as the message became clearer and more + more pronounced.”
The ban has been condemned by Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who has written a letter asking the USAPL to adopt the rules of the International Olympic Committee, which allow trans women to compete with other women.
