Cox asks the state of Utah to join the lawsuit over alleged transgender players

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Governor Spencer Cox and other state leaders have asked officials at Utah State University to intervene in a lawsuit against the Mountain West Conference involving an Aggies women’s volleyball player.

Utah State’s Kaylie Ray is one of 11 players from five universities represented in the lawsuit asking the conference to ban an alleged transgender player from playing in the upcoming conference tournament.

Due to the player’s presence on the San Jose State University women’s volleyball roster, Utah State was one of several schools to cancel games against the Spartans this season.

In a statement Monday, Cox, along with Senate President J. Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz, alleged that the Mountain West Conference endangered women by forcing them to play against transgender athletes.

“Female athletes deserve the right to a safe playing field, fair competition and equal opportunity,” the statement said. “By intervening, Utah will send a clear message that these rights are non-negotiable. The NCAA, Mountain West Conference and other institutions across the country have failed to take action, undermining vital protections and putting female athletes at risk. We will continue to defend our female athletes and the integrity of our athletic programs.”

By intervening, Utah State could join the eleven players in the lawsuit.

Ray claims that she and her teammates have faced repercussions from coaches for previously taking a stand against transgender athletes participating in collegiate sports.