A transgender employee of the Chicago Cubs has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Major League Baseball franchise of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation tied to her gender identity and sexual orientation.
The lawsuit was filed December 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint names Chicago Cubs Baseball Club LLC and alleges violations of federal civil rights law stemming from the plaintiff’s employment at Wrigley Field.
The plaintiff, identified in court documents as Ms. Christopher Cooper, began working as a facilities employee for the Cubs in February 2025. According to the filing, Cooper disclosed her transgender identity during the hiring process and consistently presented as a woman while employed by the organization.
The lawsuit alleges that Cooper was subjected to repeated harassment by coworkers shortly after starting the job. The complaint describes frequent misgendering, derogatory slurs, and hostile remarks related to both her gender identity and sexual orientation. Cooper claims coworkers questioned her gender, used demeaning language, and spread derogatory comments about her throughout the workplace.
According to the lawsuit, the hostile environment extended beyond verbal harassment. The filing alleges that coworkers who were perceived as supportive of Cooper faced intimidation, including a reported threat of physical violence against anyone believed to have complained to management.
Cooper states that she reported the harassment to supervisors and human resources multiple times, beginning with a written complaint in May 2025. Despite these reports, the lawsuit claims that the Cubs failed to take meaningful corrective action. Instead, Cooper alleges she was subjected to increased scrutiny and discipline that was not applied to other employees.
The complaint further alleges that details of Cooper’s internal complaints were improperly shared with coworkers without her consent, worsening the hostile work environment. Cooper also claims she received formal warnings for language and behavior that other employees used without consequence.
After escalating her concerns within the organization, Cooper alleges that retaliation intensified. The lawsuit claims that human resources personnel questioned her suitability for the job and suggested that her gender identity and complaints were contributing factors. Cooper ultimately left her position, stating that the environment had become intolerable.
The lawsuit cites violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits workplace discrimination based on sex. The legal filing references Supreme Court precedent, including Bostock v. Clayton County, which established that discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation constitutes sex discrimination under federal law.
Cooper is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, back pay, front pay, attorneys’ fees, and court costs. She has also requested a jury trial.
The Cubs organization has declined to comment on the pending litigation. The case, Cooper v. Chicago Cubs Baseball Club LLC, remains in its early stages and will proceed through federal court.
