A transgender employee has filed a federal lawsuit against the Chicago Cubs, alleging sex- and gender-based discrimination, harassment and retaliation during her employment with the organization.
The lawsuit, filed Dec. 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, names the Cubs as the defendant and seeks relief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The plaintiff, identified in court records as Ms. Cooper, worked as a facilities employee for the Cubs beginning in February 2025.
Cooper alleges she was subjected to ongoing harassment by coworkers because of her gender identity and sexual orientation, including repeated use of derogatory slurs, misgendering and hostile treatment. The lawsuit states Cooper disclosed her transgender identity during the hiring process and presented as a woman throughout her employment.
Coworkers regularly used slurs such as “tr—y,” “f—-t,” and “it”; questioned her gender; and spread derogatory comments about her to other employees, the suit alleges. Additionally, coworkers who associated with Cooper were threatened.
Cooper’s requests not to be scheduled with specific employees were ignored by management, the suit alleges.
Cooper reported the harassment multiple times to supervisors and human resources, beginning with a written complaint in May 2025, but no meaningful corrective action was taken, according to the lawsuit. Instead, Cooper experienced retaliation after reporting the conduct, including being issued written warnings for language that was commonly used by other employees who were not disciplined.
The complaint also alleges Cooper’s complaints to human resources were shared with other employees without her consent, creating additional workplace hostility. According to the filing, the department manager publicly discussed her complaint emails in front of other employees, and her concerns about confidentiality were dismissed.
The lawsuit describes multiple incidents in which Cooper feared for her safety, including threats of physical violence by a coworker after learning about the human resources complaints, and a physical altercation at a train station in September 2025 involving a friend of a supervisor.
The lawsuit claims the Cubs unlawfully retaliated against Cooper for engaging in protected activity by reporting the conduct.
Cooper seeks back pay, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and other relief. A jury trial has been requested.
Jennifer Martinez, senior director of communications for the Cubs, told Windy City Times the organization does not comment on pending litigation.