Who is Blaire Fleming? College athlete faces transgender boycott

Blaire Fleming, a senior on the San José State University women’s volleyball team, has once again become a focal point for the participation of transgender athletes in collegiate sports after yet another apparent boycott.

The latest blow came when the Boise State women’s volleyball team bowed out of the Mountain West tournament semifinals.

A statement from the team, which did not specifically reference Fleming, released Wednesday read: “The decision not to continue playing in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one.”

“Our team overcame losses to earn a spot in the tournament field and battled to win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday. They should not have to forgo this opportunity while they wait for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes,” it added.

In response to Newsweek‘s request for comment, a San José State spokesperson said, “During this Thanksgiving season, we are especially grateful to 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 this holiday weekend.

“While we are disappointed with Boise State’s decision, our women’s volleyball team is preparing for Saturday’s match and looking 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 declined to play San José State this season, including the University of Wyoming and Southern Utah University.

Hailing from Aldie, Virginia, Fleming is currently playing his third season at San José State. Prior to this, Fleming played 10 games for Coastal Carolina.

The PR major played in 17 games and 61 sets during the 2023 season, although Fleming missed some games due to injury.

A lawsuit filed by several players, reportedly including one of Fleming’s teammates, sought to bar the player from competing, alleging the 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 earned an All-Mountain West Conference honorable mention along with fellow San José player Brooke Slusser, the team announced Tuesday.

Although reported as transgender by several outlets, Fleming has yet to directly address any gender-based assumptions with the media, according to Daily Mail.

Fleming was defended by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who told ESPN that discussing gender identity can be “extremely invasive and dehumanizing.”

“And that’s in a way, I think, very few people ever experience. To have my own personal identity and personality turned into a culture war talking point just completely takes away all of my humanity. It can be very difficult to keep trying to keep out. it,” Thomas added.

About 59 percent of Americans oppose allowing transgender athletes to play on sports teams that match their gender identity, compared to 19 percent who support it, according to a January 2024 YouGov poll.

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a landmark U.S. federal civil rights law enacted as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program or activity that receives federal financial assistance, according to the Department of Education.

It states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

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