Who Is Blaire Fleming? College Athlete Faces Transgender Boycott
Newsweek's request for comment, a spokesperson for San José State said: "In this time of Thanksgiving, we are especially thankful for those who continue to engage in civil and respectful discourse."We celebrate and support all of our students, including our student-athletes as they compete for our community on this holiday weekend."While we are disappointed in Boise State's decision, our women's volleyball team is preparing for Saturday's match and looks forward to competing for a championship," the spokesperson added.Newsweek has also contacted Fleming for comment via social media.Boise State University joins others who have refused to play against San José State this season, including the University of Wyoming and Southern Utah University.Hailing from Aldie, Virginia, Fleming is currently playing a third season at San José state.
Prior to this, Fleming played 10 matches for Coastal Carolina.The public relations major played in 17 matches and 61 sets during the 2023 season, though Fleming missed some games due to an injury.A lawsuit filed by several players, reportedly including one of Fleming's teammates, sought to bar the player from competing, alleging inclusion violates Title IX protections and elements of the U.S.
constitution, according to WJAR TV station.A federal judge ruled that Fleming was allowed to compete and represent the team.Fleming was given an All-Mountain West Conference honorable mention alongside fellow San José player Brooke Slusser, the team announced on Tuesday.Though reported as transgender by several outlets, Fleming has yet to directly address any gender-based assumptions with the media, according to The Daily Mail.Fleming was defended by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who told an ESPN that discussion around gender identity can be "extremely invasive and dehumanizing.""And it's in a way, I think, very few people ever experience.
