Contested women's volleyball match involving a transgender athlete sparks demonstration by protesters in California
In a heated dispute, the California Department of Education is currently being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for its policies that permit biological males to compete in the girls and women's categories in sports. This controversy has been sparked by a trans athlete on Jurupa Valley High School's girls' volleyball team, whose presence has led two other players to step away from the team and file a lawsuit against the school district.
At the high school level, the trans athlete's inclusion has caused a stir, but it's not just limited to the high school scene. At the NCAA Division I level, San Jose State University's women's volleyball team has faced a similar controversy, prompting a federal Title IX investigation into the school.
The latest controversy unfolded at a college volleyball game between Santa Rosa Junior College and Sierra College. The event was targeted by protesters due to a transgender player on one of the teams. Beth Bourne, a local women's sports activist, was among the protesters, handing out protest signs to students attending the game. This was the first time Bourne had seen college students protest the issue in person.
The game in question, played on a Wednesday night, ended with Sierra College winning in straight sets. However, the controversy didn't begin on the court. Two of the female Santa Rosa athletes, Madison Shaw and Gracie Shaw, have alleged physical harm from the trans teammate. Madison claims that the trans athlete spiked a ball in her teammate's face, causing a concussion last spring, while Gracie alleges she was struck in the head by one of the trans athlete's spikes during practice.
The school administrators' response to these incidents has been a point of contention. Madison alleges that her coach told her she "can't" tell her teammates the reasons for stepping away from the team due to the trans athlete. The school administrators gave Madison a delayed response and declined her request to honor her wish not to play with the trans athlete.
In addition, at least four opponents have forfeited games to the team in question, indicating a broader issue beyond the single game. The two women, alongside teammate Brielle Galli, filed a Title IX complaint against the school to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights in consultation with the Independent Council for Women's Sports (ICONS).
The complaint also alleges that school administrators retaliated against them when they spoke up internally in opposition to letting the trans athlete on the team. However, it's important to note that there is no information indicating that Beth Bourne or any other person present at the protests was officially designated as a spokesperson for the Santa Rosa Junior College Women's Volleyball Team or officially supported by the team.
This ongoing controversy highlights the complexities and challenges surrounding transgender athletes in sports, a topic that continues to spark debate and legal action across the United States.
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