There has been a lot of controversy surrounding transgender players participating in women’s sports. Sometimes, the team members speak up and they are doing so in a way that is getting attention.
Utah State University was to participate in a match against San Jose State. They were going to play volleyball, but the members of the Utah State University team decided to forfeit because of a transgender player on the opposing team.
There is even a lawsuit that was filed against Blair Fleming, a senior who is in her third season and playing for the women’s volleyball team at San Jose State. The lawsuit claims that she has violated the law that keeps transgender players from competing in women’s sports.
According to a Utah State University statement: “Utah State University will not participate in its scheduled October 23, 2024, volleyball match at San Jose State University. The University will abide by Mountain West Conference policy regarding how this match is recorded.”
Utah State is not the first to refuse to play San Jose State. There have been three other university teams that have also taken a stand.
There been many people who have turned against Fleming after they were discovered to have been born as a biological male. This includes a dozen athletes and a fellow teammate, Brooke Slusser.
San Jose also issued a statement, saying: “It is disappointing that our SJSU student athletes, who are in full compliance with NCAA and Mountain West rules and regulations, are being denied opportunities to compete.
“We are committed to supporting our student-athletes through these challenges and in their ability to compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment.”
Even the governor of Utah, Spencer Cox has voiced his thoughts, saying: “I stand with the students, coaches and leadership at @SUUtbirds and @USUAggies in their decision to forgo their women’s volleyball matches against San Jose State.
“It is essential that we preserve a space for women to compete fairly and safely. Our female athletes are left grappling with this difficult issue because the NCAA has failed in its responsibility to protect female athletes and women’s sports. It’s time for the NCAA to take this seriously and protect our female student athletes.”
Brooke was at one time Fleming’s roommate and she found out that he was a biological male before any other. Slusser is taking part in the lawsuit and says that she was concerned for her safety, especially since she shared rooms with Flemming on school trips and was unaware of his biological sex.
Her complaint reads: “Brooke estimates that Fleming’s spikes were traveling upwards of 80mph, which was faster than she had ever seen a woman hit a volleyball.
“The girls were doing everything they could to dodge Fleming’s spikes but still could not fully protect themselves.”
A women’s rights activist and critic of transgender athletes playing in women’s sports, Riley Gaines also issued a statement. She said:
“I commend Boise State’s athletic department and everyone involved in the decision to forfeit their match against undefeated San Jose State,” it read. “Some principles transcend winning on the court, and the safety and well-being of female athletes is one of them.
“It’s encouraging to witness a growing number of institutions prioritizing fairness and athlete safety over forced inclusion.
“I hope to see more universities follow the lead of Boise State and Southern Utah, standing up for what’s right and protecting the integrity of women’s sports.”
Fleming continues to be a top player on the team and has been in the lead in many school victories. She plays outside and right-side hitter and the 6’1” volleyball player is part of the team that is at 10-0 this year.
At this point, she is the second-best player on the team, scoring 118.5 points and securing 103 kills. She used to go to Coastal Carolina University but transferred to San Jose State because the original University would’ve banned her from being on the female team.