A biological male competing as a transgender female dominated multiple girls’ events at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track and Field Championships, winning gold in both the high jump and triple jump, and taking silver in the long jump. The athlete, AB Hernandez, outperformed top female competitors, reigniting widespread backlash over male participation in women’s sports.
The event in Clovis drew heated protests. An airplane banner flying over the stadium read, “NO BOYS IN GIRLS’ SPORTS!” as angry spectators expressed frustration with what many see as a rigged playing field. One protester was arrested after an altercation, highlighting the tensions surrounding the issue.
Former President Donald Trump responded to the controversy by warning California officials that the state could lose federal education funding if it continues allowing males to compete in girls’ events. Trump criticized the state’s decision as a betrayal of women’s rights and called on national leaders to step in to protect female athletes.
In an attempt to quell the backlash, CIF implemented a new policy just before the finals, issuing duplicate medals to biological girls who placed behind transgender competitors. Critics called the move a hollow gesture that does nothing to restore fairness, while supporters claimed it was a compromise between inclusion and recognition.
Governor Gavin Newsom offered support for the CIF’s policy, referring to it as a “thoughtful approach,” though he avoided directly addressing the controversy over male participation. Many conservatives saw this as more proof that California’s leadership is more concerned with appeasing woke activists than defending fairness for young women.
Hernandez, who has been at the center of similar controversies before, insisted her wins were the result of hard training. But for the young women who lost out on championship titles, scholarships, and recognition, the issue isn’t about training—it’s about biology.
Critics argue that no policy can make up for the physical advantages that male athletes have in strength, height, and endurance. Parents and coaches across the state are now calling on lawmakers to ban biological males from competing in female divisions altogether.
The CIF’s decision to allow Hernandez to compete has turned the state finals into a national flashpoint. As other states tighten rules on transgender athletes in school sports, California continues to push further left—at the expense, many say, of female athletes who simply want a fair shot to win.