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The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday was rocked by a stampede of emotional residents and alumni reacting to a decision to sue the federal government.
CSU and San Jose State University announced Friday that they are filing a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s recent findings that SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of a transgender volleyball player from 2022-24.
Tuesday’s meeting devolved into a war of words. Many speakers ignored instructions to address the board and instead addressed other speakers in the crowd.
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One woman, a CSU employee, said she showed up intending to discuss budget cuts, but abandoned that plan to combat other speakers’ “transphobia” once she heard what they were saying.
“The fact that I have to stand up here and say that trans women are women and this is what I have to use my time to do is absurd. Shame on you. Shame on all of you,” she said.
The employee then attacked the “save women’s sport” speakers who were speaking from the point of view of lesbian women.
“And shame on you for using lesbian politics as a front for your transphobia because this lesbian has had a lot of girlfriends with penises,” she said.
The moderator then asked the commenters to “please provide your comments to the forum.” That’s what we’re here to hear.”
But other speakers did not direct their comments to the board.
Beth Bourne, a prominent California activist to “save women’s sports,” directed her comments at any transgender person who would listen.
“I want to talk to anyone who’s listening who is transgender or non-binary. You’ve been lied to,” Bourne said. “They’re making money off your body. If you take cross-sex hormones, you’re harming yourself. You’re permanently harming yourself. And just remember, your mom and dad love you more than anyone in the world.”
The moderator then interrupted the next speaker to again remind those present to direct their comments to the board.
“I remind everyone, please talk to us. Don’t talk to each other. Thank you,” he said.
Other speakers addressed their comments to the board of directors.
An SJSU alumna has voiced her objection to the CSU and SJSU’s decision to defy the Department of Education’s mandate.
“I am so disappointed that Cal State is no longer welcoming women. I am here to support Title IX and state a fundamental truth: men cannot become women,” she said. “Everyone understands that in sports.”
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A current student, who claimed to run a club at SJSU called “Trans Saga,” expressed support for the decision to sue the government.
“Our community is angry, scared and tired. Today I am here to share my gratitude and support for the board’s decision,” the student said. “As a third-year transgender student at SJSU, I ask that you listen to us and continue to protect transgender students.”
Alison Foote, Treasurer of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), showed up to the meeting wearing an XX-XY Athletics jersey. She called the recent decision to sue “an embarrassment to the entire CSU system.”
“This is CSU-sanctioned sexual abuse of the women you are obligated to protect. Your internally inconsistent Title IX and DHR guidelines that prioritize gender identity over sex have created the hostile environment unfolding before you now, but especially for the 260,000 women enrolled on your campuses,” Foote said.
SJSU and CSU announced their lawsuit Friday after the Department of Education determined SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of a transgender volleyball player from 2022-24.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon responded Wednesday, warning schools that they had 10 days to change their minds or risk cutting federal funding and being referred to the U.S. Department of Justice.
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“Based on the recipient’s proactive refusal to voluntarily negotiate a resolution of OCR’s concerns, OCR has determined that a voluntary agreement will not be reached and we are at an impasse. OCR will send a letter of imminent enforcement action in 10 calendar days if a resolution agreement is not reached within that 10 day period,” a letter from McMahon states.
“Enforcement action may include initiation of an administrative proceeding provided for in 20 USC § 1681, and following.; 34 CFR parts 100, 101, 106; and 20 USC § 1234, and following. suspend, terminate, or refuse to award or continue federal funding – or any other means authorized by law, including referral to the Department of Justice. This letter does not constitute final action by the agency.”
SJSU and CSU have since responded to PK Press Club Digital’s request for a response to McMahon’s warning.
“We have shared numerous documents and resources on our website for you to refer to, including all related legal documents, FAQs, and our official statement. As this remains an ongoing legal matter, CSU will not provide additional comment at this time,” the response said.
SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson disputes OCR’s findings.
“Because we believe OCR’s findings are not based on the facts or the law, SJSU and CSU filed a lawsuit (on March 6) against the federal government to challenge those findings and prevent the federal government from taking punitive action against the university, including the potential withholding of critical federal funding,” Teniente-Matson said Friday.
TRUMP ADMIN RESPONDS AFTER SJSU LAWSUIT TO ASSIGN TITLE IX INVESTIGATION INTO TRANSGENDER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL
“This is not a step we take lightly. However, we have a responsibility to uphold the integrity of our institution and the rule of law, while ensuring that every member of our community is treated fairly and in accordance with the law. Our position is simple: we have followed the law and cannot be punished for it. »
Teniente-Matson affirmed the university’s commitment to advocating for the LGBTQ community in the announcement.
“Our support for LGBTQ members of our community, who have suffered threats and harm in recent years, remains unwavering. We know that the attention the university has received on this issue and the investigative process that followed has been destabilizing for many members of our community,” she said.
“We have heard the fear and anxiety this has created and recognize that waiting for the university’s response has been difficult at a time already filled with uncertainty.”
The conflict has been amplified by recent revelations from the former SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusserwho revealed what it was like to share an apartment with Fleming in an interview with PK Press Club Digital on Sunday.
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“You find out you’re relaxing in bed with a man you have no idea about. …I [was] unknowingly sharing a bed with a man at that time,” she said.
“It’s hard to process. I don’t even know if I can say I’ve fully processed it to this day. It’s just that you’ve been told something for so long, you think about something for so long and you act very normal about a situation, and then you find out it’s all a lie.”
