Transgender US volleyball player Blaire Fleming has been allowed to 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 following a referee’s decision ruled in their favor on Monday (November 25). U.S. District Judge S. Kato Crews issued the ruling after several opposing players, as well as Fleming’s teammates, filed a lawsuit against the team and tournament organizers for allowing a transgender player to compete in the women’s tournament. The plaintiffs alleged that university and conference officials violated their rights under Title IX, which ensures fair treatment of men and women in educational institutions, including college sports.

However, in sentencing, Crews said the temporary injunction was intended to preserve the status quo until the trial was concluded, but an order to remove Fleming could disrupt it. Additionally, the ruling ensures that any abandonment by the opposing team will mean an automatic victory for the San Jose State volleyball team.

The Mountain West Conference Finals begin on Wednesday (November 27) in Las Vegas. In the league phase, Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada were among the Mountain West schools that forfeited games against San Jose State because of Fleming’s presence.

These losses helped Fleming’s team finish second in the conference tournament, which earned them a spot in the semifinals. San Jose State will face either Utah State or Boise State in the quarterfinals in the final four games. On the other side of the bracket, Colorado State is seeded No. 1 and has played both games against San Jose State in the regular season.

After the hearing, SJSU said in a statement that it would continue to support its student and that Fleming would participate in the series finals.

“San Jose State University will continue to support its student-athletes and reject all forms of discrimination. All San Jose State University student-athletes are eligible to participate in sports under NCAA and Mountain West Conference regulations,” Fox News Digital quoted the school as saying.

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

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