Press Release: Denver Court Rules in Favor of Transgender Volleyball Player
DENVER (AP) — In a landmark decision, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a ruling that allows a member of the San Jose State women’s volleyball team to participate in the upcoming Mountain West Conference tournament. The case emerged after a legal complaint challenged her eligibility on the grounds of being transgender.
Judge S. Kato Crews, addressing the complaint, dismissed the request for an emergency injunction. He noted that the petitioners failed to file their complaint in a timely manner. The players also sought to alter the standings by removing losses for four teams that had refused to compete against San Jose State due to the presence of the transgender athlete, arguing this warranted a re-seeding of the tournament based on updated records.
The athlete in question has been with the San Jose State team since 2022, although her participation sparked controversy only this season. The Mountain West Conference’s policy that triggered forfeits for avoiding play against a team with a transgender player has been in place since 2022, as affirmed by the conference.
In his ruling, Judge Crews emphasized that injunctions serve to maintain the status quo, which supports the athlete’s ability to play. He remarked that any potential harm had already occurred — the tournament structure had been solidified, and teams had made travel arrangements in preparation for the event.
The Mountain West Conference tournament is set to begin Wednesday in Las Vegas, with top-seeded Colorado State and second-seeded San Jose State receiving byes into the semifinal round on Friday. This ruling marks a significant moment for transgender athletes in competitive sports.
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