A bill aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s collegiate sports has made significant progress in Wyoming.

The legislation, which builds on the state’s existing ban for high school girls’ sports, would extend the restriction to college athletics.

On Friday, the bill advanced through committee after passionate testimony from Macey Boggs, a senior volleyball player at the University of Wyoming (UW).

Macey Boggs Speaks Out for Female Athletes

Macey Boggs, a member of the Cowgirls volleyball team, passionately addressed the committee, urging lawmakers to vote in favor of the bill.

She highlighted her own experience, which was marked by the team’s decision to forfeit games against San Jose State University (SJSU) over objections to a transgender player on the opposing team.

The forfeit ultimately led to the Cowgirls’ elimination from the Mountain West tournament, effectively ending Boggs’ collegiate volleyball career.

“I implore you to stop this injustice and preserve the future of female athletics,” Boggs said. “We faced a situation no woman should have to face—competing against a team with a male athlete on a women’s scholarship or forfeiting the rest of our season.”

The Debate Around Transgender Athletes in College Sports

Despite the passionate testimony from Boggs and other supporters, there is some uncertainty about whether transgender athletes are currently competing in college sports in Wyoming.

Republican State Senator Wendy Schuler, who is sponsoring the bill, expressed that she wasn’t aware of any transgender athletes in Wyoming’s college sports scene, but she noted that several were active in high school before the 2023 ban.

Schuler shared her frustration with the NCAA’s delay in addressing the issue, which led her to take matters into her own hands by introducing the bill.

“They really kind of passed the buck,” Schuler said.

Ongoing Legal Battles Over Transgender Athletes in College Sports

In addition to the state-level legislative efforts, Boggs is involved in a Title IX lawsuit against the Mountain West Conference over the inclusion of a transgender player, Blaire Fleming, on the SJSU volleyball team.

Although Fleming is not named in the lawsuit, her presence on the team sparked significant controversy during the 2024 season, with some teams refusing to play against SJSU due to concerns over fairness.

The Spartans’ inclusion of Fleming resulted in several forfeited games for their opponents, which helped secure SJSU’s place in the postseason.

The controversy surrounding Fleming reached a fever pitch, with seven Spartans players entering the transfer portal following the season.

Impact on SJSU Volleyball and Team Morale

Amid the turbulence, SJSU head coach Todd Kress acknowledged that the 2024 season was one of the toughest in his career.

Despite the external challenges and criticism, Kress commended his players for their resilience and teamwork.

“This has been one of the most difficult seasons I’ve ever experienced,” Kress said.

“Maintaining our focus on the court and ensuring the safety and well-being of my players have been my priorities.”

However, despite the efforts to keep the team united, SJSU fell short in the Mountain West tournament, losing to Colorado State.

The controversy over the inclusion of a transgender athlete remains a divisive issue, with players and teams navigating the complexities of competing in an evolving landscape of college sports.

Next Steps for the Wyoming Bill and National Debate

The Wyoming bill will now move to the full assembly after passing the committee vote with a 4-1 outcome.

It joins a growing number of states, nearly 25, that have introduced similar laws banning transgender athletes from women’s sports.

On the national stage, the issue continues to be debated, with the U.S. House of Representatives already passing a related bill.

As the debate over transgender athletes in sports continues to unfold, the Wyoming bill is just one of many attempts to address the issue at the state level, raising important questions about fairness, safety, and inclusion in women’s athletics.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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