Blaire Fleming, a senior on the San José State University women’s volleyball team, has again become a focal point over transgender athletes’ participation in collegiate sports after another apparent boycott.
The latest blow came when Boise State women’s volleyball team pulled out of the Mountain West tournament semifinals.
A statement from the team, that did not specifically reference Fleming, released on Wednesday, read: “The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one.”
“Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday. They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes,” it added.
In response to Newsweek‘s request for comment, a spokesperson for San José State said: “In this time of Thanksgiving, we are especially thankful for those who continue to engage in civil and respectful discourse.
“We celebrate and support all of our students, including our student-athletes as they compete for our community on this holiday weekend.
“While we are disappointed in Boise State’s decision, our women’s volleyball team is preparing for Saturday’s match and looks forward to competing for a championship,” the spokesperson added.
Newsweek has also contacted Fleming for comment via social media.
Boise State University joins others who have refused to play against San José State this season, including the University of Wyoming and Southern Utah University.
Blaire Fleming #3 of the San Jose State Spartans on October 19, 2024 in a game at Colorado Springs. A lawsuit filed by several players, reportedly including one of her teammates, sought to bar Fleming… Andrew Wevers/Getty Images
Hailing from Aldie, Virginia, Fleming is currently playing a third season at San José state. Prior to this, Fleming played 10 matches for Coastal Carolina.
The public relations major played in 17 matches and 61 sets during the 2023 season, though Fleming missed some games due to an injury.
A lawsuit filed by several players, reportedly including one of Fleming’s teammates, sought to bar the player from competing, alleging inclusion violates Title IX protections and elements of the U.S. constitution, according to WJAR TV station.
A federal judge ruled that Fleming was allowed to compete and represent the team.
Fleming was given an All-Mountain West Conference honorable mention alongside fellow San José player Brooke Slusser, the team announced on Tuesday.
Though reported as transgender by several outlets, Fleming has yet to directly address any gender-based assumptions with the media, according to The Daily Mail.
Fleming was defended by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who told an ESPN that discussion around gender identity can be “extremely invasive and dehumanizing.”
“And it’s in a way, I think, very few people ever experience. To have my own personal identity and personhood turned into a culture war talking point just totally takes all my humanity away. It can be very difficult to keep trying to persevere through that,” Thomas added.
Some 59 percent of Americans oppose allowing transgender athletes to play on sports teams that match their gender identity compared to 19 percent who support it, according to YouGov polling in January, 2024.
What Is Title IX?
Title IX is a landmark U.S. federal civil rights law enacted as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, according to the Department of Education.
It states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
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