Volleyball Player Brooke Slusser Targeted by Online Trolls Following Transgender Teammate Lawsuit
Former San Jose State University women's volleyball captain Brooke Slusser has become the target of vicious online abuse from left-wing social media users after initiating legal action concerning her transgender teammate Blaire Fleming. The 23-year-old athlete, alongside several other players from multiple teams, filed a lawsuit against the California State University Board and the Mountain West Conference, alleging violations of the First and 14th Amendments as well as Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education.
The Controversial Case of Blaire Fleming
The lawsuit stems from the 2024 controversy surrounding Blaire Fleming, a transgender athlete born male whose participation sparked intense debate. During that season, multiple opposing teams refused to compete against San Jose State University, citing concerns over biological sex differences. This resulted in SJSU securing seven victories by forfeit, ultimately advancing to the playoffs with a 12-6 record. The legal action also names SJSU's head volleyball coach Todd Kress and several other individuals as defendants.
In a revealing interview with Fox News, Slusser detailed the traumatic experience of discovering she had unknowingly shared living quarters with a biological male. "You find out you're just chilling in a bed with a man that you have no idea about... I was unknowingly sharing a bed at that time with a man," Slusser explained. She further alleged that Coach Kress encouraged her to live in the apartment with Fleming when other players were seeking a final tenant.
Social Media Backlash and Support
Since filing the lawsuit, Slusser has faced significant online harassment. One social media user dismissed her claims, stating, "Literally nothing bad happened to her. The trans woman was her friend and is now being vilified for doing nothing." Another commenter echoed similar sentiments, while former 'Glee' actor Kevin McHale appeared to mock Slusser's appearance in a now-deleted post.
However, Slusser has also received substantial support from conservative commentators and women's sports advocates. Prominent activist Riley Gaines defended Slusser on social media, writing, "A man lied about his sex. A college girl was stripped of her ability to consent. When she learned his sex, she said no." Gaines criticized those minimizing Slusser's experience, emphasizing that "the women whose rights were violated are" the true victims. Former ESPN host Sage Steele also voiced support, urging accountability from San Jose State University.
Legal Setback and Ongoing Battle
The plaintiffs recently encountered a significant legal obstacle when Judge S. Kato Crews dismissed most claims in their lawsuit. In a detailed 38-page opinion, Judge Crews ruled that the Mountain West Conference could not be sued under Section 1983, which restricts state actors from violating rights, as the conference is not a state entity. Furthermore, he determined that the conference is not subject to Title IX regulations since it does not receive direct federal funding.
Judge Crews noted that the plaintiffs "do not allege that there is currently a transgender athlete playing volleyball" in the Mountain West Conference. However, he left open the possibility for the athletes to challenge their individual schools under Title IX if they believe transgender participation policies were applied in a manner that violated their rights. This ruling represents a major blow to Slusser and her fellow plaintiffs, though their legal battle continues on narrower grounds.
Slusser responded to her detractors with poignant clarity: "I would just say people that don't know my life or my trauma don't have room to say how good or bad my time at SJSU was. I hope they never have to understand going through something as awful as that." The case highlights ongoing tensions in women's sports, legal protections, and the intense social media dynamics surrounding transgender participation debates.
