Court Upholds Ruling Supporting Transgender Athlete in College Sports After 4 Teams Protested
The judge referenced federal laws protecting transgender rights under Title IX.
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Last month, LGBT groups protested the mass reaction toward a transgender San Jose State University volleyball player, saying their response is rooted in transphobic rather than their "unfair" concerns.
About four teams already forfeited their match against the state university in protest of her participation, stating that she had unfair advantages and could cause danger to all females in the team.
In a recent update, the series of protests were not heard as the court ruled in favor of the athlete, per BBC. The court particularly noted that the athlete did indeed have the right to participate because of a 2020 Supreme Court ruling regarding discrimination protections based on gender identity under Title IX.
While the plaintiffs, including a San Jose State co-captain and several former players, contained that allowing a transgender woman to compete in women's sports violates equal opportunities for women, the judge pointed to federal laws that protect transgender rights. The plaintiffs had filed an emergency lawsuit at the last minute to block the athlete from competing, but the judge ruled that such a decision would disrupt the MWC's championship preparations.
Judge Allows Transgender Athlete to Compete
Judge S. Kato Crews pointed out that refusing the athlete's participation right before the tournament would merely cause unnecessary confusion and uproar.
San Jose State welcomes the ruling and promised never to accept any form of discrimination and ensure that its student-athletes can engage freely in sports according to NCAA and MWC policies.
Although the judge ruled that the transgender athlete could play, the controversy continued with teams protesting her participation. The University of Nevada Reno and three other teams made their stance clear by forfeiting games, stating they would continue boycotting the competition unless she is removed, according to The New York Times.
This marks the fourth season of the transgender player's college volleyball career, though her participation had not drawn significant attention until now.
This ruling has sparked widespread conflict over the role of transgender athletes in women's sports, with some calling for stricter regulations and others advocating for equal treatment under the law, especially as Trump plans to ban gender and race lessons in education.
