This weekend, California’s top high school athletes are gathering for the State Championships.
The stadium in Clovis, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, is all set for the event.
Banners greet competitors from around the state, food stalls fill the concourse, and teenagers are handing out event programs.
The controversy surrounding AB Hernandez impacts the California state championships
“Wishing all the athletes and their coaches good luck,” reads the program. Many have dedicated years of training, and for several, a college scholarship hinges on their performance today.
However, one topic has taken center stage among the chatter. “Which one is she?” a group of boys can be overheard asking.
They’re referring to AB Hernandez, a 16-year-old transgender girl, at the center of a legal, political, and cultural debate.
Born male, she has transitioned and now competes against girls.
Hernandez is a frontrunner in the long jump and triple jump and is also competing in the high jump, leading in all three events after Friday’s preliminaries.
Her participation in the girls’ category has sparked a nationwide discussion.
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A banner flown over the stadium by women’s advocacy groups states: ‘No boys in girls’ sports’
AB Hernandez is at the heart of a legal, political, and cultural debate
As she competes, a plane flies overhead with a banner proclaiming “No boys in girls’ sports,” funded by women’s advocacy groups.
A small protest is also happening on the road outside, with posters reading “Save girls sports” and “XX does not equal XY.”
Aurelia Moore, a local mother and sports enthusiast, shares her thoughts: “These kids wake up at dawn to train. They dedicate themselves year-round, and now we’re taking that away just to appease a boy? It’s fundamentally wrong.”
A small protest outside the California stadium
Aurelia Moore criticizes the loss of opportunities for young girls
The topic of transgender inclusion remains controversial, emerging as a significant campaigning point for President Trump, who promised to “remove men from women’s sports.”
He signed an executive order attempting to ban transgender women from female athletics and is now threatening to revoke federal funding from California due to Hernandez’s participation in this event.
In a social media statement, he noted: “As a male, he was a mediocre athlete. As a female, this transitioned individual is nearly unbeatable.”
President Trump signed an executive order seeking to bar transgender women from female sports. Pic: AP
‘No special advantage’
Activists for transgender rights attended the event, applauding Hernandez’s high jump efforts. Jessica Schultz, a representative for a socialist party, commented:
“Every girl deserves to compete in girls’ sports, and trans girls are girls. They don’t possess any extreme advantages over those with natural advantages like height or reach, much like athletes such as Michael Phelps.”
“I’m astonished that the president concerns himself with a high school meet,” she adds, “but it’s unsurprising given his many hateful beliefs.”
Activist Jessica Schultz argues transgender athletes have no more privilege than those with natural advantages
Hernandez has faced threats at previous competitions, necessitating security. A viral video captured her mother being approached aggressively by other athletes’ parents.
One of those voices was Sonja Shaw, the school board president of Chino Valley in California.
“I argued that boys are boys and girls are girls,” she stated. “Then I turned to the audience and asked, ‘Is there anyone who supports a boy competing against the girls?’”
Sonja Shaw, president of the school board for Chino Valley, insists the issue is ‘absolutely not’ exaggerated
Girls ‘can’t win’
California boasts hundreds of thousands of high school athletes, yet only a few instances of transgender girls competing in girls’ sports have made headlines.
When asked if the issue is overblown, Sonja stated, “Absolutely not; it’s on the rise. Girls who should stand at the top of the podium after dedicating their lives to training are unable to do so against these boys.”
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In light of the controversy surrounding Hernandez’s participation, California is now permitting more cisgender girls to compete.
They may also recognize multiple winners if Hernandez secures first place.
This complicated and contentious issue shows no sign of resolution.