Olympian Kylie Humphries Critiques CSU’s Legal Action Against the Education Department
Kylie Humphries, a Californian and Olympic veteran, has spoken out against the California State University (CSU) system’s recent lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education. As a mother of an infant son, she finds the lawsuit morally objectionable.
“I love California. However, I don’t agree with the state’s politics or the lawsuits,” Humphries stated in a conversation.
CSU and San Jose State University (SJSU) are embroiled in a significant legal dispute with the Trump administration. This challenge follows an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education which found that SJSU mishandled a situation involving a transgender volleyball player, violating Title IX.
According to legal documents, some female players were unaware that their teammate, Blair Fleming, was biologically male. Humphries expressed concern about this, stating, “Hearing that some female athletes were unaware really highlights the importance of protecting women’s sports. It’s not just a matter of physical safety; it involves mental and emotional well-being as well.” She firmly added, “I don’t think there’s any scenario where men should participate in women’s sports.”
The issue centers around Brooke Slusser, a 23-year-old who was a co-captain on the SJSU volleyball team. Slusser had shared personal spaces with Fleming without knowledge of his biological sex, which has led her to challenge the legality of the situation.
Humphries voiced her support for Slusser, affirming, “She did the right thing and has a community backing her.” However, Slusser has faced backlash online from some liberals, which Humphries described as “terrible.” She remarked, “It’s heartbreaking to see someone who feels unsafe attacked for speaking out. It’s a distressing situation.” Humphries believes that sports should always be a safe environment, regretting the negative responses aimed at Slusser, who she stated could always reach out to her for support.
Slusser holds SJSU volleyball head coach Todd Kress accountable, claiming he recruited Fleming without informing her of his biological status. She insists Kress misled her about Fleming’s compatibility with the team.
Humphries reflected on her own difficult experience with a coach while representing Canada, describing a toxic environment that led her to seek help from USA Bobsled after being unsupported by her national program. “I faced significant issues, and despite my pleas for help, they cut my funding and removed me from the team,” she recounted.
Humphries eventually found success with Team USA, earning gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics and bronze at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, solidifying her status as a leading female bobsledder. Recently, she presented President Trump with the Order of Icos, marking a significant recognition in her career.
While grateful for Trump’s actions supporting women’s sports, Humphries values her role as a mother even more. She contemplates homeschooling her son, focusing on instilling respect for women’s sports and acknowledging the uncertainties ahead.
“As my son grows up, he will understand that women’s sports are for women,” she emphasized, expressing her commitment to advocacy and education, while pondering what future changes might arise in California and beyond.
