University of Nevada Challenged Over Volleyball Match Decision Involving Transgender Player

The University of Nevada, Reno has declared it will not forfeit its upcoming women’s volleyball game on October 26 against San Jose State, despite appeals from multiple team members. This decision has drawn attention due to the presence of a transgender player on the San Jose State team.

A spokesperson for the university informed Fox News Digital that forfeiting the match would conflict with state law. “The university made the decision not to declare a forfeiture and move forward with hosting the match as scheduled based on several factors,” the spokesperson stated, citing legal prohibitions concerning forfeits related to gender identity or expression in the Nevada Constitution.

The relevant legal framework includes Article I, Section 24 of the Nevada Constitution, which protects rights irrespective of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, among others. This was further solidified by the inclusion of the Equal Rights Amendment in state law following a 2022 revision.

State Senator Pat Spearman, who co-sponsored the Equal Rights Amendment bill, underscored its importance, saying it upholds the identities of transgender individuals. “As a state university, a forfeiture for reasons involving gender identity could constitute discrimination,” read the university’s statement.

In contrast, twenty-three states have laws limiting the presence of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Idaho‘s Governor, Brad Little, executed an executive order advancing the Defending Women’s Sports Act earlier this year.

This issue rides against a broader backdrop of legal challenges following a Title IX clarification under the Biden-Harris administration. The changes asserted that protections against “sex” discrimination encompass gender identity and sexual orientation, leading to lawsuits from over two dozen Republican attorneys general.

Nevada’s decision has been met with mixed responses from various stakeholders, including state Governor Joe Lombardo and athletes from San Jose State, who have publicly supported the personal stance of Nevada players on not participating in the game. Notably, Nevada team captain Sia Liillii and other players expressed their intention to forfeit the match in solidarity with teams from Southern Utah, Boise State, Wyoming, and Utah State, who had previously opted out of playing against San Jose State.

Elsewhere, Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez acknowledged the tensions surrounding the situation. “It breaks my heart because they’re human beings, young people, student-athletes on both sides,” Nevarez shared with the Associated Press. The forfeitures could impact qualifications for the conference tournament scheduled for November.

Finally, the university reiterated its stance, emphasizing the constitutional principles at play and vowing no repercussions for those choosing not to participate. “A student’s decision to withdraw due to gender identity considerations can be viewed as free expression under the First Amendment,” explained the university.