An attempt to ban transgender volleyball player Blaire Fleming from San Jose State’s upcoming playoff games has been rejected by a federal judge, according to reports.
The New York Times revealed on Monday that the judge has given the green light for Fleming, who is a biological male, to compete in the postseason with SJSU’s women’s team despite the uproar surrounding their inclusion.
Multiple opponents have refused to play against the Spartans this season amid safety concerns about the player, allowing them to pick up seven victories via forfeit to advance to the postseason with a record of 12-6.
A host of players from colleges in the same conference as SJSU, the Mountain West, had filed a lawsuit seeking to block the redshirt senior from the tournament, before some of Fleming’s teammates even hopped on board.
The lawsuit argued that allowing them to participate would knowingly violate a law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in women’s sports.
However, Judge S. Kato Crews – an appointee of President Biden to the US District Court in Colorado – ruled on Monday that Fleming can continue to compete on SJSU’s women’s team despite that plaintiff.
Fleming and the Spartans are guaranteed a semifinal tie, where they will meet either Utah State or Boise State – two of the teams who forfeited against them earlier this season.
Along with Wyoming, Boise State has refused to play them on two separate occasions in 2024 amid concerns over Fleming.
An attempt to block trans volleyball player Blaire Fleming from San Jose State’s upcoming playoff game has been rejected by a federal judge
