Minneapolis, MN -- August 19, 2024 -- On Saturday, September 27, Drop Deadlift Gorgeous will showcase the strength of 150 diverse athletes and the power of community care. Hosted by Minneapolis gym Solcana Fitness, the lifting event and free-to-the community celebration aims to raise $100,000 for PFund Foundation’s TRANSCEND Fund while empowering trans+ inclusion in sport.

The event returns for its third year as trans+ people and the organizations that provide them life-sustaining services face enormous stress and uncertainty. With state bans on gender-affirming care backed up by the Supreme Court’s Skrmetti decision, organizations serving trans+ people in Minnesota are seeing an influx of families relocating to access healthcare. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pursuing action against the state of Minnesota for standing against its “Sports Ban Order,” which seeks to block trans women and girls from school sports. 

“As attacks on our rights increase, Drop Deadlift Gorgeous is standing strong with the power of grassroots collaboration, mutual aid and queer joy,” said Drop Deadlift Gorgeous founder Max Poessnecker. “We’ve been awed by the response so far and know our community will show up again in force this year.”

In 2024, the event raised over $100,000 for the TRANSCEND Fund, which has distributed support to more than 40 nonprofits offering services and programming for trans and gender non-conforming people in the Upper Midwest. One recipient is OutFront Minnesota, which has used the funds to make micro-grants to people who must relocate in search of gender-affirming care and safer communities.

“The TRANSCEND Fund played a critical role in kickstarting our efforts to support those considering relocation to Minnesota,” said OutFront Minnesota Executive Director Kat Rohn. “There is still a lot of work to be done to support those choosing to move or seek care and those already living here. But we are able to lead the way as a state -- in part because we've approached this landscape with a spirit of support and collaboration.”

While Drop Deadlift Gorgeous plans to make a serious impact, the atmosphere is anything but somber. As lifters take the stage and attempt to pull a heavily loaded barbell from the ground, they’re also likely to show off wild costumes and engage the crowd. (Last year’s lifter antics included folk dance, acrobatics and a mini pickleball match.) A live DJ and commentary from emcees Emily Lund of Howdy Partner Dance and Carrie Bain of The Fat Narrative Project will add to the fun. Premier sponsors include TSR Injury Law, Arbeiter Brewing, The Aliveness Project, Damron Production Services, Constellation Acupuncture, Hamm Real Estate, Skadi Sport Psychology, Threshold Healing and Tiny Tree Counseling & Consulting, among 20+ sponsors.

Spectator admission is free and open to the community. Lifting will start at 10 a.m. on the covered patio of The Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge at 3010 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, with a vendor fair and afterparty from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Arbeiter Brewing down the block.

About Solcana Fitness:

Solcana Fitness is a queer, woman-owned gym built on the idea of body liberation. Since 2014, we’ve been cultivating community and helping people find the most powerful version of themselves through strength and conditioning classes in South Minneapolis. Learn more at solcanafitness.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Download our full press kit (including photos and graphics).

Press contact:

Daphne Sidor
Marketing & PR Coordinator

[email protected]