A transgender volleyball player was forcibly outed by Reduxx and then a team captain at San Jose State University. Now, Boise State University has forfeited their match against them.
A 𝘵𝘪𝘦- the very definition of a fair competition- and not even for first place, but for fifth (meaning four other cis athletes beat both of them). And 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 the poster child of how "unfair" allowing trans women in sports is supposed to be.
She wasn’t even that good to begin with and she’s just a grifter trying to ride the waves because she’s upset she’s mediocre and can’t accept that fact
You know, I don't currently have a therapist. Anyone have any links to advice as to how to deal with near existential rage? The people who think this sort of thing is a good idea, they deserve no respect or peace.
Not sure if you are serious but I will be for a moment. With Kaiser as my provider I have never been able to get the help I need other than a prescription. The gate keeper in charge of my healthcare will not even let me try any of the newer drugs that are not available as a generic.
E, I gave it a heart, as always, although I don’t like what happened at all. Separately, I’M THRILLED FOR YOU that The 19th is a new sponsor—over the moon!!! For months I’ve been suggesting to both them and The Lever that they spread your excellent reporting far and wide. Congratulations!
Back to the story…😭😭😭😭😭😭
Now that schools have started back up there HAS to be more protection also for the dorm/housing assignments. I’m hearing about WAY too many students being treated in humiliating ways by cis roommates. Starting college is hard enough already. There is so much that is heartbreaking in this ONE person’s life while she’s just trying to live it. 😳 Is this same thing not going to keep happening in the next matches now that this has happened? As a mom, my heart breaks that THIS has to be Blair’s experience. I want to scoop her up. Community, I love you.
Mom of trans teen here. I absolutely agree. It’s heart wrenching. Praying that my kiddo has a good college experience. He will start this next school year, hopefully at his first choice school, which has an LGBTQ center and housing policies that are supposed to make it easier for trans kids. I’m so ridiculously over the top stressed about this big upcoming change!!! Argh!!
A forced outing is as good as a death threat- even if everyone in Miss Fleming's immediate orbit is nothing but supportive and awesome, this is going to make her the target of a 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 hate campaign. She will receive death threats- and threats of other violence- and not a small percentage of those threats will be credible enough for her to worry about. She won't receive adequate protection from law enforcement, because no one ever does.
And this shit isn't just routine- this is a 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘨𝘦𝘦 story, too: "𝘍𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯’𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴."
An innocent person, having already been forced to flee because of this bullshit culture war, may be dragged into the national spotlight, unwilling, to become the latest target of the entire right-wing media machine... and there will be no consequences whatsoever for what she'll have to suffer through.
Riley Gaines has no talent and will never amount to anything of value to humanity
It’s so frustrating that we can’t really use science and logic to argue against these anti-trans arguments because as stated it’s not even about sports but the exclusion of people who don’t fit conservative flat-earth-style views of gender
We absolutely have to continue to oppose them with science and logic, frustrating and downright infuriating as news like this is. It is a battle, and some of your own troops will be casualties even when you win the war. (I hate the military analogy also, but sadly, it's apt.)
The flat-earth transfoes are beyond changing, but I do believe the many school boards and local athletic institutions have human beings among them who are simply ignorant because they have no personal experience. They can be reached, and we can all play some role in that. It's a hard job.
I'm halfway through writing a book (which my publisher has said they're anxious to have) on that science and reason. It, too, is not an easy task, unfortunately; it's a lot of work to get all the references and precise wording. I wish I could write faster (and didn't have another job!). But I'm doing my best.
I at least wrote a Substack post on it - there isn't room in that for references, but I am going to start posting some excerpts, at least, on my website, which may be of value to many of you in this battle. Thanks for all your support!
There is a lot to be enraged about in this article but I am particularly incensed that Blaire's own "teammate" joined professional bigot Riley Gaines' lawsuit. And she's supposed to be a team captain? What a sorry excuse for a team captain she is. And I won't feel bad if Boise State gets a taste of some Jordy Bahl karma. You don't want to play against trans women? Well, you will get your wish if you suffer a season-ending injury - and also not play against anyone else either in that case.
I followed the link to the Reduxx article, then took a look at the entire newsletter. If Matt and JK had a baby, and it would take the form of an online newsletter, it would be Reduxx. A disgusting excuse for journalism where targeted misgendering would be the order of the day.
As for the COWARDS from Boise State, had it ever occurred to them they could actually beat this other team? Or are they so insecure that they seek any excuse for losing before they even hit the pitch? Just askin'...?
Maybe it's because I'm cranky today, but if I may, an additional comment about this. People of good will need to stop indulging these bigots as if there are "two sides" to all questions. If Fleming meets the requirements and qualifications adopted by the governing body that oversees the competition, end of story. The appropriate sanction against Boise State is NOT forfeiture of the match. It is EXPULSION from the league. If you agree to field a team and compete in a league, you don't get to determine for yourself which matches you choose to compete in. Same goes for Slusser - and anybody else who joins her. If you don't want to compete on a team with an otherwise eligible player as determined by the sport's governing body, your ass gets sent home. Go pursue your lawsuit but YOU don't play in the meantime.
The Right is conducting a pogrom and hate compaign against trans-folk to the point that many fear for their safety. It is an old playbook; you could substitute "immigrant", "gay", "colored" or any of a dozen epithets currently or historically used by the Right and it would all sound the same. Its purpose is to distract from, in this case, the Republican party's inability to govern and to hide that they are the errand boys for the wealthy and powerful. At this point I understand if transgender folks chose to remain stealth for their own safety and I admire those who are brave enough to stand up for the community. But here is the thing; it is time for others -- allies and citizens of good conscious -- to stand up for the trans community. Attacking trans youth, who are in no position to defend themselves, it an act of cowardice and the politicians and grifters, (often the same -- think Trump and Gaines, in that order), responsible should be the ones driven from public life for the crime of putting innocent lives at risk. This is a bit of a scree, I know, but I just saw Will and Harper and the hate that was directed toward them broke my heart. This has to end.
My God, the similarities of this and when it happened in MLB to Black players are spooky. For those that are infuriated by this, I think it would be fair to say, Black men overcame this but got beaten up pretty bad before it finally happened in their favor. It did so much for sports. Perhaps the same could happen for trans women/girls. Pushes sports to a higher standard.
I used to play volleyball in junior & high school. Being it that the women in team sports have become taller & stronger than when I was young is astounding. Trying to defend against a 70mph spike is daunting, but not impossible to defend against. If a t-woman can spike at 80mph, c-women just have to get quicker eye-hand coordination for defense. When all is said & done, they have to. I'm not even sure I believe that particular stat. It's possible.
This issue isn't going away anytime soon. Screw that snitch who ratted her out.
Hell, I got called "tranny" yesterday for sticking up for a trans man I don't even know ... here on Substack. She was spamming the hell out of my post until I stopped her. Then she made multiple accounts to keep doing it. I shut her down, so now she's trying it on my YouTube channel. These people are getting louder, bolder, and are fucking crazy transphobic idiots. SMFH
If anyone would like to voice their opinion on Boise State's action, the volleyball head coach can be reached at shawngarus@boisestate.edu / phone: (208) 871-4333
Poor Blaire, I am so sorry to hear about this and it breaks my heart. An athlete just wants to compete and play. I’m sorry she’s going through this.
Also fuck Riley Gaines and her mediocre athletic ability.
Literally she can't deal with tying for 5th place . . .
A 𝘵𝘪𝘦- the very definition of a fair competition- and not even for first place, but for fifth (meaning four other cis athletes beat both of them). And 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 the poster child of how "unfair" allowing trans women in sports is supposed to be.
*𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵*
She wasn’t even that good to begin with and she’s just a grifter trying to ride the waves because she’s upset she’s mediocre and can’t accept that fact
Riley Gaines is what used to be called a gold-digger in a different context. Morality is a foreign concept to her.
And though her athletic ability was mediocre, her ability in this new career is paying off quite well, just like her role model Donald J. Trump.
I appreciate all the news you write about and I commend you for being able to read and analyze all this stuff, it can be so depressing.
You know, I don't currently have a therapist. Anyone have any links to advice as to how to deal with near existential rage? The people who think this sort of thing is a good idea, they deserve no respect or peace.
I’m going with you.
Not sure if you are serious but I will be for a moment. With Kaiser as my provider I have never been able to get the help I need other than a prescription. The gate keeper in charge of my healthcare will not even let me try any of the newer drugs that are not available as a generic.
:) enjoyed your answer...:)
E, I gave it a heart, as always, although I don’t like what happened at all. Separately, I’M THRILLED FOR YOU that The 19th is a new sponsor—over the moon!!! For months I’ve been suggesting to both them and The Lever that they spread your excellent reporting far and wide. Congratulations!
Back to the story…😭😭😭😭😭😭
Now that schools have started back up there HAS to be more protection also for the dorm/housing assignments. I’m hearing about WAY too many students being treated in humiliating ways by cis roommates. Starting college is hard enough already. There is so much that is heartbreaking in this ONE person’s life while she’s just trying to live it. 😳 Is this same thing not going to keep happening in the next matches now that this has happened? As a mom, my heart breaks that THIS has to be Blair’s experience. I want to scoop her up. Community, I love you.
Mom of trans teen here. I absolutely agree. It’s heart wrenching. Praying that my kiddo has a good college experience. He will start this next school year, hopefully at his first choice school, which has an LGBTQ center and housing policies that are supposed to make it easier for trans kids. I’m so ridiculously over the top stressed about this big upcoming change!!! Argh!!
A forced outing is as good as a death threat- even if everyone in Miss Fleming's immediate orbit is nothing but supportive and awesome, this is going to make her the target of a 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 hate campaign. She will receive death threats- and threats of other violence- and not a small percentage of those threats will be credible enough for her to worry about. She won't receive adequate protection from law enforcement, because no one ever does.
And this shit isn't just routine- this is a 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘨𝘦𝘦 story, too: "𝘍𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯’𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴."
An innocent person, having already been forced to flee because of this bullshit culture war, may be dragged into the national spotlight, unwilling, to become the latest target of the entire right-wing media machine... and there will be no consequences whatsoever for what she'll have to suffer through.
Shithole. Country.
Stay strong, Blaire.
This is so dehumanizing.
Riley Gaines has no talent and will never amount to anything of value to humanity
It’s so frustrating that we can’t really use science and logic to argue against these anti-trans arguments because as stated it’s not even about sports but the exclusion of people who don’t fit conservative flat-earth-style views of gender
We absolutely have to continue to oppose them with science and logic, frustrating and downright infuriating as news like this is. It is a battle, and some of your own troops will be casualties even when you win the war. (I hate the military analogy also, but sadly, it's apt.)
The flat-earth transfoes are beyond changing, but I do believe the many school boards and local athletic institutions have human beings among them who are simply ignorant because they have no personal experience. They can be reached, and we can all play some role in that. It's a hard job.
I'm halfway through writing a book (which my publisher has said they're anxious to have) on that science and reason. It, too, is not an easy task, unfortunately; it's a lot of work to get all the references and precise wording. I wish I could write faster (and didn't have another job!). But I'm doing my best.
I at least wrote a Substack post on it - there isn't room in that for references, but I am going to start posting some excerpts, at least, on my website, which may be of value to many of you in this battle. Thanks for all your support!
It's not true that Riley Gaines has no talent. She was good enough to nail down fifth place. 😉
Fifth is nothing to brag about
Wink emoji? Sarcasm? Riley "Fifth Place" Gaines?
With that emoji, your comment could still be taken two different (and opposite) ways so…
There is a lot to be enraged about in this article but I am particularly incensed that Blaire's own "teammate" joined professional bigot Riley Gaines' lawsuit. And she's supposed to be a team captain? What a sorry excuse for a team captain she is. And I won't feel bad if Boise State gets a taste of some Jordy Bahl karma. You don't want to play against trans women? Well, you will get your wish if you suffer a season-ending injury - and also not play against anyone else either in that case.
The cruelty is the point. This story is equally heartbreaking and infuriating. We are a broken country.
I followed the link to the Reduxx article, then took a look at the entire newsletter. If Matt and JK had a baby, and it would take the form of an online newsletter, it would be Reduxx. A disgusting excuse for journalism where targeted misgendering would be the order of the day.
As for the COWARDS from Boise State, had it ever occurred to them they could actually beat this other team? Or are they so insecure that they seek any excuse for losing before they even hit the pitch? Just askin'...?
Maybe it's because I'm cranky today, but if I may, an additional comment about this. People of good will need to stop indulging these bigots as if there are "two sides" to all questions. If Fleming meets the requirements and qualifications adopted by the governing body that oversees the competition, end of story. The appropriate sanction against Boise State is NOT forfeiture of the match. It is EXPULSION from the league. If you agree to field a team and compete in a league, you don't get to determine for yourself which matches you choose to compete in. Same goes for Slusser - and anybody else who joins her. If you don't want to compete on a team with an otherwise eligible player as determined by the sport's governing body, your ass gets sent home. Go pursue your lawsuit but YOU don't play in the meantime.
Hey, that Counterstrike tourney is from, like, 2017. So saying April is a bit wrong there.
THAT SAID, you could replace it with the chess competition decision by FIDE to make every trans competitor a case by case determination
EDIT: looks like the reference got dropped :)
The Right is conducting a pogrom and hate compaign against trans-folk to the point that many fear for their safety. It is an old playbook; you could substitute "immigrant", "gay", "colored" or any of a dozen epithets currently or historically used by the Right and it would all sound the same. Its purpose is to distract from, in this case, the Republican party's inability to govern and to hide that they are the errand boys for the wealthy and powerful. At this point I understand if transgender folks chose to remain stealth for their own safety and I admire those who are brave enough to stand up for the community. But here is the thing; it is time for others -- allies and citizens of good conscious -- to stand up for the trans community. Attacking trans youth, who are in no position to defend themselves, it an act of cowardice and the politicians and grifters, (often the same -- think Trump and Gaines, in that order), responsible should be the ones driven from public life for the crime of putting innocent lives at risk. This is a bit of a scree, I know, but I just saw Will and Harper and the hate that was directed toward them broke my heart. This has to end.
What's wrong with their other teammates? Slusser should be ostracized.
My God, the similarities of this and when it happened in MLB to Black players are spooky. For those that are infuriated by this, I think it would be fair to say, Black men overcame this but got beaten up pretty bad before it finally happened in their favor. It did so much for sports. Perhaps the same could happen for trans women/girls. Pushes sports to a higher standard.
I used to play volleyball in junior & high school. Being it that the women in team sports have become taller & stronger than when I was young is astounding. Trying to defend against a 70mph spike is daunting, but not impossible to defend against. If a t-woman can spike at 80mph, c-women just have to get quicker eye-hand coordination for defense. When all is said & done, they have to. I'm not even sure I believe that particular stat. It's possible.
This issue isn't going away anytime soon. Screw that snitch who ratted her out.
Hell, I got called "tranny" yesterday for sticking up for a trans man I don't even know ... here on Substack. She was spamming the hell out of my post until I stopped her. Then she made multiple accounts to keep doing it. I shut her down, so now she's trying it on my YouTube channel. These people are getting louder, bolder, and are fucking crazy transphobic idiots. SMFH
If anyone would like to voice their opinion on Boise State's action, the volleyball head coach can be reached at shawngarus@boisestate.edu / phone: (208) 871-4333
Thank you for posting an action comment. I just hit the send button on my email. I appreciation your posting and making it so simple to do so.