Cherry Grove, NY – A staple of the LGBTQ+ community, the LezVolley tournament, known for bringing together queer women and nonbinary individuals for a day of volleyball, camaraderie, and celebration, was unexpectedly canceled this past Saturday. The decision came after a transgender man’s participation sparked tensions that led to the event’s abrupt halt.
LezVolley, described on its official website as “the most popular annual LGBTQ+ and nonbinary event for women on Fire Island,” was scheduled to take place on August 10. The tournament, which has been a fixture in Cherry Grove for over a decade, has always been seen as a symbol of queer unity and joy. However, this year’s event took an unforeseen turn when one of the participating teams raised objections to the inclusion of a transgender man on the court.
According to reports from Fire Island News, the organizers of LezVolley asked the transgender man to leave the court after a team expressed discomfort playing against what they referred to as a “male-identifying individual.” This decision quickly sparked outrage among the crowd, leading to protests that eventually escalated, causing the entire event to be canceled.
Footage from the event posted on TikTok captured the moment when the crowd began chanting, “No TERFs on the beach,” in a show of solidarity against what many perceived as an exclusionary and discriminatory decision. The term “TERF” (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist) has been used in recent years to describe feminists who oppose the inclusion of transgender women in women’s spaces.
The LezVolley organizers, in a statement issued after the cancellation, attempted to clarify their actions. They explained that the decision to ask the transgender man to leave was made in response to concerns from the other team, not out of transphobia. However, they admitted that the situation quickly became volatile, with some attendees reacting with what they described as “anger, aggressiveness, and even violence” toward the organizers.
The organizers stated, “We were faced with a difficult situation where we had to make a quick decision in the interest of maintaining respect among all participants. Unfortunately, the reaction from some in the crowd made it impossible for us to continue with the event safely.”
However, many attendees and social media users have disputed the organizers’ characterization of the crowd’s response as violent. One Instagram user, @actually_ashuhlee, commented, “The protests were not violent, unless you call kneeling on a court violent???” Another user added, “The most violent thing that happened was TERFs screaming at people to stop kneeling and standing in the middle of the court when an all-trans game was played in protest.”
The fallout from the cancellation has sparked a larger conversation about inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in historically queer spaces like Cherry Grove. The irony of the situation has not been lost on many, with some pointing out that this exclusionary behavior mirrors the scrutiny and discrimination that transgender athletes face on the international stage.
The tournament should explicitly include transgender people in its participation policies, according to a Change.org petition started on August 11 by “members and supporters of the LezVolley community.” The petition, which had garnered over 240 signatures at the time of publication, demands that the tournament adopt a non-discrimination policy and provide education and training on trans inclusivity for all involved.
The petition reads, “These changes will help ensure that the LezVolley league is a place where all individuals feel valued and can contribute to the sport they love. Please be aware that, should the policies remain unchanged, we will not be participating in future tournaments. This decision reflects our commitment to supporting inclusivity and fairness in our community.”
The organizers of LezVolley, in a follow-up statement posted to social media on Sunday, expressed their devastation over the outcome and issued an apology. “We don’t take this lightly and hope this can be a teachable moment for us and others in the community,” the statement read. The organizers also announced plans to hold a town hall meeting to discuss the incident and how to move forward in ensuring the event remains inclusive.
“We have always strived to provide a safe, inclusive event for all members of our community,” the statement continued. “This has always been an event for women, trans women, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals. We are deeply sorry for the emotional harm this situation may have caused.”
The controversy surrounding this year’s LezVolley comes at a time when transgender athletes are facing heightened scrutiny and discrimination globally. The case of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who recently endured transphobic abuse online during her fight for Olympic gold, is a stark reminder of the challenges transgender individuals face in sports. Although Khelif is not transgender, the baseless accusations and vitriol directed at her highlight the ongoing battle for acceptance and equality that transgender athletes face.
The incident at LezVolley has prompted many in the LGBTQ+ community to reflect on the importance of truly inclusive spaces. For decades, Cherry Grove has been a refuge for queer individuals, a place where they could escape the prejudices of the outside world. However, as this incident demonstrates, even within these enclaves, there is still work to be done to ensure that all members of the community feel seen, valued, and included.
As the LezVolley organizers prepare for their upcoming town hall, there is hope that this painful episode can serve as a catalyst for meaningful change. By addressing the concerns raised by the transgender community and their allies, and by reaffirming their commitment to inclusivity, the organizers have an opportunity to transform LezVolley into an event that truly represents the diverse and vibrant LGBTQ+ community it seeks to celebrate.
In the meantime, the LGBTQ+ community continues to stand in solidarity with transgender athletes and individuals, recognizing that the fight for equality and acceptance is far from over. The outpouring of support for the transgender man at the center of this controversy is a testament to the resilience and unity of the queer community, and a reminder that, together, they can work toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
As the petition for change continues to gain signatures, and as conversations around inclusivity grow louder, one thing is clear: the future of LezVolley—and the broader LGBTQ+ community—depends on a collective commitment to embracing and uplifting all its members, regardless of gender identity.
