Judge Rules Transgender Volleyball Player Eligible for Mountain West Tournament

San Jose State's Blaire Fleming remains eligible to compete after federal court denies emergency appeal challenging transgender participation policy.

A federal judge in Colorado upheld San Jose State's transgender volleyball player Blaire Fleming's eligibility to compete in the Mountain West Conference tournament, citing Title IX protections.
The plaintiffs, including current and former players and a suspended assistant coach, argued that Fleming's participation undermines fairness and safety in women's sports.
Judge S. Kato Crews ruled that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate irreparable harm or a likelihood of success in their case, noting delays in filing the lawsuit.
The ruling referenced prior legal precedents, including the 2020 Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which extended sex discrimination protections to include gender identity.
The decision has intensified the ongoing national debate over transgender athletes in sports, with some schools in the conference forfeiting games rather than competing against San Jose State.