Brazil’s new volleyball ban could end trans star’s career in a world first

The Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV) announced Friday that transgender women will be banned from all national team and national competitions with that action to take effect immediately.

The ban directly affects one of the stars of professional volleyball in the country, Osasco’s Tifanny Abreu. The 2021 Outsports Pro Sports Triumph Award Winner was the first trans woman to play in her nation’s top league.

This is the first example of an anti-trans policy directly and immediately (with the below caveat) barring a trans woman who is currently competing at the professional level.

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On Saturday, she began competition in the annual preseason São Paulo state championships.

The São Paulo Volleyball Federation Volleyball Federation declared that since the tournament started before the rule change, Abreu would be allowed to compete. She scored 19 points in a tense 5-set loss to Pinheiros and made a statement after the match in strong opposition to the ruling.

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After eight years of playing in Brazil’s Superliga, Tifanny Abreu is part of a championship team with Osasco.

“The CBV’s taking away everything I have, which is my love for volleyball and the profession I’ve been practicing all these years,” she said. “It’s been 10 years in women’s volleyball. I didn’t start yesterday. This doesn’t only affect me. It affects my club, the fans, sponsors, the people who are inspired by me, and the rights of all transgender people.”

The CBV stated that their policy would be aligned with the mandate put forth in March by the International Olympic Committee including mandatory SRY gene testing. According to the CBV statement Friday, any player who fails the test will not be allowed to play unless they can show medical proof of what the statement termed “disorders of sexual development, that causes anabolic effects and performance alterations resulting from testosterone,” in line with similar policy of the IOC.

Throughout Saturday’s match Osasco fans chanted her name and showed banners and signs in support of Abreu and against the ruling that could end her career in women’s volleyball.

Trans athlete Tifanny Abreu gets support from teammates

Support has also come from some of her peers in the sport.

Osasco librero Key Alves — one of the largest social media presences in the Superliga — published her support within minutes of Abreu’s public statement Saturday.

“My friend, I will always be here to support you in everything,” Alves stated via Instagram. “Your fight is ours, I love you. Thank you for always being this incredible woman!!!!”

On Sunday, Brazil’s current national team captain Gabi Guimarães and two-time Olympic champion Sheilla Castro both made statements via social media standing up for Abreu.

“At any point did anyone think about Tifanny as a person, about how this would affect her life?” Guimaraes asked via Instagram. “She has already been competing in the Superliga for nine years. Or are we simply going to reinforce the idea that trans people should remain on the margins of society?”

“She built her career in Brazilian volleyball by meeting the criteria established by the sports organizations themselves, and now she’s going through a moment that directly impacts her career and her life,” Castro stated. “Today I just want to express my respect, my affection, and my support for her.”

She faced a similar situation during the Copa Brasil competition back in March due to a local restriction against trans women playing in women’s sports where the final was being held.

Brazil’s Supreme Court overturned the local measure, which allowed her to play in Osasco’s 3-1 win over Gerdau Minas when Abreu earned Player of the Match honors.

The 41-year-old outside hitter is a fan favorite within the Superliga and has come a long way from when she first broke into the pro ranks in 2017.

Once maligned for being a trans woman, Abreu has become one of the league’s top faces for endorsements. On the court she’s won three Paulista titles, two consecutive Copa Brasil titles, and helped Osasco win the Superliga championship in 2025.

She has also been a touchstone for trans rights in what has long been considered one of the most dangerous countries for trans people. Abreu says it is that very fight and visibility that will keep her speaking out for her opportunity to play.

“It’s a huge setback in the fight for recognition and inclusion. We’re going back to the humiliating way athletes were tested in the 60s and 70s,” she stated.

“I will not be silenced and I will take all possible measures to ensure that my fight for the right to visibility, inclusion and the practice of sport has not been in vain.”

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