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The California State University (CSU) system board of trustees that met Tuesday was rocked by a stampede of excited residents and alumni reacting to the decision to sue the federal government.
CSU and San Jose State University announced Friday that they will file the lawsuit to challenge the U.S. Department of Education’s recent findings that SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of a transgender volleyball player from 2022 to 2024.
Tuesday’s meeting turned 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 address the “transphobia” of other speakers once she heard what they said.
“The fact that I have to come up here and say that trans women are women and that’s what I have to use my time for is absurd. What a shame. What a shame for all of you,” she said.
The employee then took aim at the “save women’s sports” speakers, who spoke from the perspective of lesbian women.
“And what a shame that you use lesbian politics as a cover for your transphobia, because this lesbian has had many girlfriends with penises,” she said.
The moderator then directed the speakers to “please make your comments to the board. That’s what we’re here to hear.”
But other speakers did not direct their comments to the board.
Prominent California “save women’s sports” activist Beth Bourne directed her comments to any transgender person who would listen.
“I want to talk to anyone listening who is transgender or non-binary. You’ve been lied to,” Bourne said. “They are making money off of your body. If you are taking hormones of another sex, you are harming yourself. You are harming yourself permanently. And remember that your mother and father 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 would remind everyone to talk to us, please. Don’t talk to each other. Thank you,” he said.
Other speakers addressed their comments to the board.
An SJSU student expressed her objection to CSU and SJSU’s decision to defy the Department of Education’s mandate.
“I am very disappointed that Cal State is no longer welcoming to women. I am here to support Title IX and declare a basic truth: men cannot become women,” she said. “Everyone understands this 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 has been angry, scared and tired. I am here today to share my gratitude and support for the board’s decision,” the student said. “As a transgender student who is in her third year at SJSU, I ask that you listen to us and continue to protect transgender students.”
Alison Foote, treasurer of the Independent Council for Women’s Sports (ICONS), turned up to the meeting wearing an XX-XY athletics shirt. He called the recent decision to sue “an embarrassment to the entire CSU system.”
“This is CSU-sanctioned sexual abuse against the women they 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 most importantly for the 260,000 women enrolled on your campuses,” Foote said.
SJSU and CSU announced their lawsuit Friday after the Department of Education determined that SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of a 2022-24 transgender volleyball player.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon responded Wednesday by warning institutions that they have 10 days to change their minds or risk federal funding cuts and a referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.
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“Based on the recipient’s proactive refusal to voluntarily negotiate resolution of OCR’s concerns, OCR has determined that a voluntary agreement will not be reached and we are at an impasse. OCR will issue an imminent enforcement action letter in 10 calendar days if a resolution agreement is not reached within that 10-day period,” a letter from McMahon said.
“Enforcement action may include initiation of an administrative proceeding set forth in 20 USC § 1681, and following.; 34 CFR Parts 100, 101, 106; and 20 USC § 1234, and following. suspend, cancel or refuse to award or continue federal funds, or other means authorized by law, including referral to the Department of Justice. “This letter does not constitute final agency action.”
SJSU and CSU have since responded to Pak Gazette Digital’s inquiry for a response to McMahon’s warning.
“We have shared numerous documents and resources on our website, which you can refer to, including all related legal documents, frequently asked questions, and our official statement. As this remains an ongoing legal matter, the CSU will have no further comment at this time,” the response read.
SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson disputes the OCR’s findings.
“Because we believe OCR’s findings are not based on fact or law, SJSU and CSU filed a lawsuit (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 funds,” Lieutenant-Matson said Friday.
TRUMP ADMIN RESPONDS AFTER SJSU SUES TO CHALLENGE 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 doing so.”
Lieutenant-Matson affirmed in the announcement the university’s commitment to advocating for the LGBTQ community.
“Our support for LGBTQ members of our community, who have experienced threats and harm in recent years, remains unwavering. We know that the attention the university has received around this issue and the investigative process that followed has been disturbing to many in our community,” he said.
“We have heard the fear and anxiety it has created and recognize that waiting for the university’s response has been difficult in a time that is 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 a Pak Gazette Digital interview on Sunday.
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“You realize you’re just relaxing in bed with a man you have no idea about… [was] without knowing it, sharing a bed at that time with a man,” he 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’re told something for so long, you think something for so long and act so normal about a situation, and then you find out it’s all a lie.”
