Transgender Teen Defy Trump, Competes in US School Games

Transgender Teen Defy Trump, Competes in US School Games

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In a bold display of resilience, 16-year-old transgender athlete AB Hernandez qualified for the finals in multiple events at the California State Track & Field Championships. Events unfolded on Friday in Clovis, outside of Fresno, where Hernandez claimed the top spot for the finals in both the girls’ long jump and high jump categories.

Hernandez’s participation has sparked intense debate, drawing criticism not only from local officials but also from high-profile figures, including President Donald Trump. As part of the backlash, a small aircraft circled the stadium, carrying a banner that proclaimed: “No boys in girls sports!” Meanwhile, about a dozen protesters gathered outside the venue, donning T-shirts and holding signs that read “Save girls sports.”

This controversy prompted swift action from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which announced last-minute adjustments to competition rules earlier in the week. These modifications were made to ensure that biological female athletes were not sidelined by the inclusion of transgender athletes. Following public outcry, CIF issued a rule change specifically targeting the events in which Hernandez was competing, stating that any athlete who fell short of a podium finish behind a trans athlete would still be eligible to receive a medal.

In a statement, CIF outlined, “If necessary, in the high jump, triple jump, and long jump events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned a specific placement on the podium will also be awarded the medal for that place and the results will be reflected in the recording of the event.”

Despite the CIF adjustments, Hernandez has faced threats and online condemnation. President Trump, without mentioning her name, took to social media to express his disdain for her participation, saying, “As a female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS.” In a warning to California, Trump stated, “Please be hereby advised that large-scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to… This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!”

In conjunction with these comments, the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into whether California has breached Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded educational programs. Local officials, including Clovis Mayor Diane Pearce, have joined the fray, calling for Hernandez to be barred from competition. During a press conference on Thursday, Pearce urged CIF to reassess their rulings: “Today, I call on CIF to do the right thing. Updates one and two were not enough, but the third time can be the charm. CIF still has a chance to make it right by removing biological males from girls’ sports.”

As the finals approach, the ongoing discourse over Hernandez’s participation reflects broader national tensions surrounding transgender rights in athletics, leaving many wondering how the outcomes will reverberate beyond the state championships.

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