7:54 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8
After the game, about five anti-trans protesters remain while about 30 counter protesters stayed holding signs in support of the trans athlete.
As protesters funneled out of the gym, both anti and pro-trans protesters shouted their last cheers for and against the player. Many of the anti-trans protesters filmed the counter protesters as they exited.
Former SRJC student Desdemona Kemp spoke about the confrontation between the protesters.
“It’s interesting that instigating is a penalty in sports but not something you can get shown the door for,” they said.
Kemp said they will be attending more games to support the trans community.
“Wherever their shadow darkens I’m going to be there brightening it back up,” they said.
7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8
With the volleyball game about two-thirds complete, both anti-trans and pro-trans protesters remained present.
Erin Friday, president of Our Duty USA and attorney for the former women’s volleyball coach at San Jose State, who was fired for refusing to allow a trans woman on her team, said, “We need to return to biological reality. The males can play on the males’ teams, regardless of how they identify.”
Friday also commented on the pro-trans protesters.
“I think it’s important for them to express themselves. I’m a firm believer in the First Amendment, and they have a right to be here,” she said. “I think that they’re mistaken, and I really hope they come to understand that everybody was made perfect. Nobody was born in the wrong body. And we want people to grow up loving themselves and liking what they see in the mirror. So they call us a hate group or bigots.”
SRJC Queer Resource Center coordinator Angelica Barraza-Tran spoke in support of the trans player.
“We heard in advance today that there’s some transphobic signage and protest here, so we are just coming to show support and hopefully counterbalance whatever negative messaging people are trying to put out there,” she said. “It’s bigger than any one student or any one game or any one team. We’re hoping all humans are equal, and all humans deserve rights — the right to exist without being harassed for their identities.”
6:11 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8
As the match began, attendees divided into two sections, with Women Are Real protesters on the right side and counter protesters on the left. Both groups held signs, but the counter protesters were louder, stomping their feet and yelling words of encouragement in support of the SRJC volleyball team.
The counter protesters outnumbered the Women Are Real protesters by more than 50 to less than a dozen.
A student who wished to remain anonymous said he felt uncomfortable with all of the audience members supporting the trans athlete.
“I know a lot of people in this line who have no issue exposing, demeaning and making less of the conservative population,” he said. “For me, myself as a conservative, I don’t feel comfortable voicing my opinion. Not too many conservatives left on campus.”
Another anonymous student attended in support of their girlfriend, a former wrestler and water polo player, who chose not to participate in two sports at SRJC, citing safety and privacy concerns regarding trans-athletes.
“If there is a male biological competitor, [the student’s girlfriend] will not participate,” they said. “She wants to be able to put in the work and not be trumped over by someone who doesn’t have to put in as much work.”
5:47 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8
Anti-trans groups Moms for Liberty and ICONS marched toward the entrance of the Haehl Pavillion as pro-trans counter protesters blocked their path chanting “Love wins!”
“The fact that there’s a boy that’s on the team means a girl didn’t make it,” said Beverly Talbott, a spokesperson for the anti-trans group Women Are Real.
Nearly an hour before the game, Santa Rosa community members rallied near the entrance of Haehl Pavilion holding signs in support of the trans volleyball player who garnered national media attention after three teammates filed a Title IX complaint calling for her removal from the team.
“I understand some people are having a difficult time with transgender people,” former SRJC history teacher Laura Larque said. “Being trans and being attacked is like being a person of color being attacked.”
Freshmen Gracie Shaw and Brielle Galli and sophomore Madison Shaw — the players who filed the lawsuit — have not played in any of the team’s games since Sept. 3.
This is a developing story. Please check back for live updates.
