Former San Jose State University volleyball athlete Brooke Slusser has publicly expressed her profound horror and distress after discovering that her former roommate and teammate, Blaire Fleming, was secretly transgender. Slusser and Fleming shared a four-bedroom apartment in Santa Clara, California, beginning in 2023, where they developed a close friendship under what Slusser describes as false pretenses.
Shocking Revelation and Emotional Fallout
In a candid interview with Fox News, Slusser revealed the depth of her shock, stating she was unaware she was living with a biological male. "You find out you're just chilling in a bed with a man that you have no idea about… I was unknowingly sharing a bed at that time with a man," she recounted. Slusser emphasized that had she known Fleming's biological sex, she would have altered her behavior entirely, such as covering up more when moving between rooms or avoiding intimate moments like watching movies snuggled in bed.
"I would have changed everything about what I was doing in that apartment if I would have known that it was a man," Slusser asserted. She added that processing nearly two years of living in this situation has been incredibly challenging, leading to significant emotional trauma.
Legal Action and Health Consequences
Slusser has initiated a lawsuit against the NCAA and the Mountain West Conference, alleging that the stress and trauma from this discovery triggered the development of an eating disorder. She claims the institutions failed to inform her of Fleming's transgender status, which she argues contributed to her mental health struggles. "It wasn’t until all the craziness started that my healthy lifestyle turned very unhealthy into not eating the amount I should," Slusser explained.
The impact of the eating disorder, combined with overall anxiety, reportedly caused Slusser to lose her menstrual cycle for nine months, raising fears about her future fertility. "I want to have the dream future that I envision for myself of having kids in the future, I want as many as possible, and I think if that weren't able to happen, that would break my heart," she lamented.
Fleming's Response and Campus Controversy
Blaire Fleming, a biological male at the center of this controversy, has vehemently denied the allegations. In December, Fleming told Fox News, "I really don’t care or feel bad for her. She literally would weigh herself 2-3x a day and keep track of it on her whiteboard in her room. And she didn’t drop her classes, she failed out, hope that helps!" Slusser later slammed these remarks as insensitive and dismissive of her genuine health struggles.
San Jose State's 2024 volleyball season, which marked Fleming's final year with the school, was marred by forfeits from rival teams and widespread protests. Slusser places blame on her coach, Todd Kress, for encouraging her to live with Fleming without disclosing Fleming's background, further complicating the situation.
Additional Legal Claims and Allegations
The controversy extends beyond Slusser's case. In October 2024, former San Jose State coach Melissa Batie-Smoose filed a lawsuit after being suspended, claiming it was retaliation for filing a Title IX complaint against the university and Fleming. The complaint includes serious allegations, such as Fleming conspiring with an opposing player to have team co-captain Brooke Slusser spiked in the face during a match on October 3.
Batie-Smoose also accused SJSU of granting Fleming special accommodations, including not attending practices without excuse and sitting in the stands eating during sessions. "The only times I showed up to practice with 'no excuse' and sat in the stands was when I was injured and couldn't play," Fleming countered in response. She added, "Brooke Slusser and Melissa need to get a life."
Both Fleming and San Jose State University have been contacted for comment on Slusser's latest claims, but no official statements have been released at this time. The ongoing legal battles and public disputes highlight the complex and divisive nature of transgender issues in collegiate sports and shared living environments.
