Photo: JayCee Cooper/Instagram
Transgender powerlifters hoping to compete with USA Powerlifting received a crushing blow on Thursday, when head honchos for the sport’s leading federation reportedly voted to uphold its ruling banning transgender women competitors.
The national board of governors for USA Powerlifting voted overwhelminglyin favor of maintaining its policy, during a meeting in Lombard, Illinois, OutSports reported. A total of 50 people participated in the vote, with 46 voting in favor of keeping the rule and 4 voting to overturn it. One person abstained from the vote, according to the outlet.
“Our proposed policy may not have passed today, but our fight for trans inclusion is not over,” they wrote in a statement on Instagram. “Women’s Strength Coalition and Pull for Pride will not stop pushing for a trans affirming and inclusive policy until all are welcome on the platform.”
Representatives for USA Powerlifting did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment, but the group currently lists its“Transgender Participation Policy”on its website, explaining why transgender lifters cannot participate in sanctioned events.
According to the policy, “The first has to do with the use of testosterone or other androgens, commonly used to assist in transition from female to male. By virtue of the anabolic nature of these compounds, they are not allowed, nor is a Therapeutic Use Exemption granted for such use for anyone. This applies to any and all medical conditions which might be treated through use of androgens.”
Meanwhile, fellow powerlifters have rallied behind Cooper since she posted about being banned from the sport on Instagram in January. Even Rep. Ilhan Omar, of Minnesota, stood behind her —slamming the ban on transgender women competitorsas “unscientific” and “discriminatory.”
source: people.com
