When college volleyball player Brooke Slusser learned that one of her San Jose State teammates and roommates was biologically male, she faced a decision that would change her college career. Now her parents are sharing what happened behind the scenes.
Kim and Paul Slusser thought their daughter Brooke had found a fresh start when she transferred from the University of Alabama to San Jose State University. She loved volleyball again, was building friendships and was settling into life in California.
Then Brooke learned that one of her teammates, Blaire Fleming, was transgender. Fleming was also one of her roommates.
On this week's episode of The Family Policy Alliance Report, host Grace Youngson speaks with Kim and Paul about what happened next, the personal toll on their daughter and why their family decided to speak publicly.
The conversation was facilitated by Texas Values, one of Family Policy Alliance's state allies.
When Brooke Slusser Learned the Truth About Her Roommate
According to her parents, Brooke had heard rumors about a male athlete on the San Jose State women's volleyball team but didn't initially know what to believe.
Then, during a late-night food run with her roommates, Fleming told Brooke directly.
Kim and Paul recall that Brooke thanked Fleming for being honest but immediately made clear that she disagreed with a biological male competing on a women's team.
The revelation raised questions for the family about Brooke's privacy, her living arrangements and what university officials had known before she arrived.
When news about Fleming became public, the Slussers say the team was called into a meeting. Players hoped the university would address their concerns.
Instead, according to Kim and Paul, the message was to remain quiet.
Kim later contacted the head coach to discuss the situation. She recalls being told that Fleming would remain on the team and that she needed to change her thinking.
For the Slussers, that conversation marked a turning point.
The Cost of Speaking Out
Brooke eventually joined Gaines, et al. v. NCAA, a lawsuit involving former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines and other female athletes. She also filed a separate lawsuit against San Jose State University, the Mountain West Conference and university personnel.
Her parents say Brooke initially believed other teammates might join her in speaking out. Although several supported her privately, none joined the lawsuit with her.
Many feared losing scholarships, playing time or future opportunities, Kim and Paul explain.
As the controversy grew, Brooke became increasingly isolated.
Her parents describe threats on campus, online harassment and a strained relationship with her coaching staff. They also recount an incident in which a university staff member began accompanying Brooke to practices and away games.
Kim and Paul say the stress took a serious toll on their daughter's well-being.
"We're proud of her," Paul says, reflecting on her determination to finish the season despite the pressure.
But pride didn't erase their fear. With Brooke in California and the family in Texas, they traveled to as many games as possible to support her.
How Texas Values Helped Brooke Find Support
When Brooke returned to Texas, her parents say she finally began to feel the encouragement she had been missing in California.
An important part of that support came from Texas Values.
The Slussers first connected with the organization through legal proceedings involving women's sports. Later, Brooke and Kim traveled to the Texas Capitol to testify about legislation addressing women's privacy.
For Brooke, those opportunities meant more than participating in a policy discussion. Her parents say they gave her a chance to tell her story in her own words and meet people who took her concerns seriously.
Kim and Paul credit Texas Values with helping Brooke reach new audiences and connect with others working on women's sports issues.
Their experience also illustrates how Family Policy Alliance's network of state allies brings families, advocates and lawmakers together around issues affecting their communities.
Why Brooke's Story Matters Beyond Volleyball
For Kim and Paul, their daughter's experience raises a larger question: What happens when female athletes disagree with decisions made by the institutions responsible for their safety and opportunities?
Brooke's concerns involved more than competition. Her parents describe questions about shared housing, privacy, relationships with coaches and the ability to speak openly without fear of retaliation.
Those concerns connect directly to Family Policy Alliance's Save Girls' Sports initiative, which focuses on fairness, privacy and opportunities for female athletes.
The legal debate over women's sports has also reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Family Policy Alliance has covered the Supreme Court cases involving protections for female athletic teams.
Brooke's story offers a personal perspective on those broader questions, through the eyes of two parents who watched their daughter navigate them firsthand.
Related Episode
Girls' Privacy at School: What Parents Need to Know
Constitutional attorney Kim Hermann discusses the privacy concerns families are bringing to schools, the role of Title IX and what parents can do when they believe their children's rights are being overlooked.
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