Dear USA Powerlifting,

I am no longer a member of your federation because it was so troubling to me during my years of membership (2013-2018) to witness discriminatory policies within the organization. I don’t possess the disposable income to continue paying membership dues to an organization where I no longer lift or volunteer. Therefore, I will use this small platform to ask my tens (some days, hundreds) of readers to use their voices to change USAPL policy.

Fortunately, through the Women’s Strength Coalition and Pull for Pride I have met many, many amazing humans. Two of them, Breanna Diaz and JayCee Cooper, will be present next week at your national championships to present a proposal to change the current USA Powerlifting Transgender Athlete policy.

If you, strong reader, are a current member of USA Powerlifting, I beg of you, PLEASE write to your state chair to attempt to affect change in this sport. The Olympics, USA Weightlifting, USA Wrestling, the Strongman Corp, and powerlifting organizations like the AAU, the ADFPF and RPS all include transgender athletes in sport.

WHY DON’T YOU?

We can do it together. We cannot do it alone. Share the platform,

Elisabeth Saunders

Former USAPL member, meet director, state referee, record holder