American transgender volleyball player Blaire Fleming can participate in the women’s championship

Blaire Fleming, a transgender volleyball player representing San Jose State University (SJSU), will be allowed to compete in the Mountain West Conference tournament after a judge ruled in their favor on Monday (November 25). U.S. District Judge S Kato Crews issued the ruling after several opponents and Fleming’s teammates filed a lawsuit against the team and tournament organizers for allowing the transgender athlete to participate in the women’s tournament. The plaintiffs alleged that university and congressional officials violated their Title IX rights, which ensure that men and women are treated fairly in educational settings, including collegiate sports.

However, in handing down the sentence, Mr Crews said a temporary interim injunction is intended to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of a trial, but an order to remove Fleming would disrupt it. Additionally, the ruling ensures that any forfeit by the other team would automatically mean a win for the San Jose State volleyball team.

The Mountain West Conference finals begin on Wednesday (November 27) in Las Vegas. In the competition phase, Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada were among the Mountain West schools that lost their games against San Jose State due to Fleming’s presence.

These forfeits helped Fleming’s team reach second place in the conference tournament, guaranteeing them a spot in the semifinals. In their final four games, San Jose State will face one of Utah State or Boise State who are set to do battle in the quarterfinals. On the other side of the bracket, Colorado State has the No. 1 seed and played both games against San Jose State in the regular season.

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After the hearing, SJSU said in a statement that they will continue to support their student and that Fleming will participate in the series finals.

“San José State University will continue to support its student-athletes and reject discrimination in any form. All San José State University student-athletes are eligible to participate in their sports under NCAA and Mountain West Conference rules,” the school said. from Fox News Digital.

“We are pleased that the Court rejected an eleventh-hour attempt to change those rules. Our team looks forward to competing in the Mountain West volleyball tournament this week.”

According to According to Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer known for campaigning against trans women’s participation in women’s sports, the girls planned to “appeal the ruling.”