Trans Athlete at California College Volleyball Game Sparks Protests

In a recent college volleyball game in California, controversy broke out when protesters targeted the event over a transgender player on one of the teams. Santa Rosa Junior College played against Sierra College in Rocklin, just weeks after several Santa Rosa players filed a Title IX complaint about a biological male teammate.

This incident has stirred up a bigger conversation about transgender athletes in women’s sports. People are questioning fairness, safety, and what it really means to be inclusive.

Protests Erupt at College Volleyball Game

The volleyball game between Santa Rosa Junior College and Sierra College became a protest hotspot. Local women’s sports activist Beth Bourne led the demonstration, handing out protest signs to students as they arrived.

Bourne said it was the first time she’d seen college students jump in and protest like this. She sounded hopeful, saying maybe more people are finally comfortable speaking up about this issue.

Student and Athlete Participation

Even some of Sierra’s men’s athletes joined in, holding signs during a timeout. Bourne saw that as a big deal, a sign that support might be growing.

She left the game feeling like more folks might be willing to stand up for the girls and women who feel affected by male athletes joining their teams.

Title IX Complaint and Allegations

The controversy heated up when two female Santa Rosa athletes, Madison Shaw and Gracie Shaw, along with teammate Brielle Galli, filed a Title IX complaint against the school. They sent it to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, claiming the school retaliated against them for opposing the trans athlete’s inclusion.

The athletes shared stories of alleged physical harm during practices and games, saying their trans teammate caused injuries.

Alleged Physical Harm

Madison Shaw said she saw the trans athlete spike a ball so hard last spring that it gave a teammate a concussion. She argued this wouldn’t have happened if a male athlete hadn’t been on the team.

Gracie Shaw described getting hit in the face by one of the trans athlete’s spikes during practice. She said it hurt much more than any hit from other female players.

School’s Response and Policies

Santa Rosa Junior College responded to the Title IX complaint by saying it’s committed to an inclusive, supportive environment for everyone. The school pointed to its compliance with California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) rules on student eligibility and participation.

They emphasized respecting every student’s legal privacy rights and said they take all reports seriously, following established procedures.

Retaliation Claims

The athletes said they faced retaliation from administrators for speaking out. Madison Shaw recalled asking to step away from the team because of the male athlete’s presence, but the school delayed and then denied her request.

She wasn’t allowed to explain her reasons to teammates. The coach told her they had to respect the male athlete’s privacy.

Broader Implications and Legal Battles

This situation at Santa Rosa Junior College is just one part of a national debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports. California, in particular, has seen several similar controversies, especially involving volleyball.

The state’s Department of Education is currently being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice over policies that let biological males compete in girls’ and women’s sports.

High-Profile Cases

At the NCAA Division I level, San Jose State University’s women’s volleyball team dealt with a similar issue involving trans athlete Blaire Fleming last fall. That led to a federal Title IX investigation.

At the high school level, a trans athlete on the Jurupa Valley High School girls’ volleyball team prompted two players to leave and sue the school district. At least four opposing teams have forfeited games in protest.

Future of Transgender Athletes in Sports

The debate over transgender athletes in sports isn’t going anywhere soon. Supporters of women’s sports argue that letting male athletes compete in female categories can be unsafe and unfair.