Nevada college says it won't cancel volleyball match against school with transgender player due to state law

Adriana McLamb of the Independent Women's Forum joins 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss women's volleyball teams forfeiting matches against a team with a transgender player.

The University of Nevada, Reno announced it will not forfeit its upcoming women's volleyball game against San Jose State Oct. 26 despite multiple requests from players to do so.

A university spokesperson told Fox News Digital Thursday the program would not forfeit the match because it would be a violation of state law. 

"The university made the decision not to declare a forfeiture and move forward with hosting the match as scheduled based on several factors. As a public university, the university is legally prohibited by Section 24 of the Nevada Constitution and other laws and regulations to declare a forfeit for reasons related to gender identity or expression," the spokesperson said. 

Article I, Section 24 of the Nevada Constitution provides that "Equality of Rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by this state or any of its political subdivisions on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, ancestry or national origin."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

However, that constitution was revised in 2022 when Nevada voted to adopt the Equal Rights Amendment, which added gender identity to the list of protections. 

Nevada state Sen. Pat Spearman, a Democrat from North Las Vegas who co-sponsored the bill to get it on the ballot, said the law has helped transgender people maintain their identity.

"As a state university, a forfeiture for reasons involving gender identity or expression could constitute per se discrimination and violate the Nevada Constitution," the