Editors note: The Collegian is not disclosing the name of the transgender athlete, as the student has not spoken publicly about their identity or the case.
Delta College reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion on Oct. 3 as students, faculty and staff gathered to support a transgender athlete from Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) after a Title IX complaint was filed against the school weeks ago.
Members of the Delta College Pride Coalition, along with the Associated Students of Delta College, the Dreamer Success Center, and campus allies, gathered before the game to express solidarity with the visiting student-athlete.
Signs with messages of inclusion and trans pride were placed across campus.
“Meeting the athlete’s mother was a highlight,” the Pride Coalition wrote in an Instagram post. “This was an amazing night of collaboration and joy. We all gathered together and shut down the hate.”
According to the post, the event brought together student leaders, college staff, and campus police in a coordinated effort to ensure safety and a welcoming atmosphere. The coalition credited Delta’s student government, Pride Center leadership and students, Dreamers Center, and college administration for helping organize the show of support.
Professor Kirstyn Russell, president of the Pride Coalition, said the demonstration reflected how years of advocacy have built a culture of quick, collective action.
“Showing support is being visible in your activism,” Russell said. “This event showed that all the work we’ve done in different areas of the campus has made it possible to mobilize quickly. We are much safer when we are together. I don’t want anyone to feel alone, even if they can’t safely join gatherings like the one on Friday.”
Protesters first gathered outside Sierra College in Rocklin in mid-September, when Santa Rosa Junior College visited for a women’s volleyball match, KCRA reported. The demonstration came after three SRJC players filed a Title IX complaint against the SRJC and the women’s volleyball team’s coach earlier in the month involving a transgender teammate.
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that bans sex-based discrimination in schools and colleges receiving federal funding, according to the Department of Education.
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance,” the policy reads.
According to the 23-page Title IX complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, three Santa Rosa Junior College volleyball players allege that the school “violated Title IX by allowing a trans-identifying male to participate on the women’s volleyball team.” The filing states that the student “did not compete in matches during the 2024 season but practiced and worked out with the SRJC team,” and that during one practice she “injured a teammate by striking the volleyball at her head, causing a concussion.”
The complainants — Madison Shaw, Gracie Shaw and Brielle Galli — claim they were “benched and ignored” after raising concerns to the coach and athletic department. They argue that SRJC’s actions amounted to “physical endangerment,” “deprivation of women’s rights,” and “retaliation,” and call on the Department of Education to investigate alleged violations by Santa Rosa Junior College, the Sonoma County Junior College District, and the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA).
The complaint was posted online by ICONS (Independent Council on Women’s Sports), a Nevada-based organization that opposes the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. The group has previously filed or supported similar Title IX complaints nationwide, according to its website.
In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, Santa Rosa Junior College spokesperson Sarah Pew said the school “is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and employees.”
“The District complies with California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) regulations, which govern student eligibility and participation in our athletic programs,” Pew said. “We respect the legal privacy rights of all students and cannot discuss individual circumstances. What we can affirm is that SRJC takes all reports seriously and responds through established procedures.”
The California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A), which oversees athletics for both institutions, upholds nondiscrimination policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in accordance with their gender identity, in line with state law.
At Delta, the tone was notably different.
The Pride Center described the evening as one of “collaboration and joy.” The Mustangs defeated Santa Rosa 3–0.
Delta’s Pride Center offers a welcoming safe space for LGBTQ+ students and allies, working through partnerships with campus and community groups to facilitate support services, advocacy, and visibility programming. The center administers programs such as the Pride Scholars Program and hosts events like Lavender Graduation.
While the college does not publicly list total participation numbers, the Pride Center regularly organizes workshops, support groups, and community events that engage dozens of students each semester.
Russell said the volleyball game also underscored how allyship can take creative and positive forms, especially during tense public debates.
“We approached the volleyball game as an opportunity to express joy and celebration for the trans community,” she said. “It’s important to react to hate with positivity. The LGBTQIA community has always incorporated music and art into our protests — by joining together, no matter your identity, you create a powerful protection without adding to divisiveness.”
