Fresh off a warning from President Donald Trump regarding male participation in girls’ track and field, California allowed transgender athlete AB Hernandez to claim two state titles against female competitors.
Representing Jurupa Valley High School, Hernandez emerged victorious in the girls’ high jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation’s (CIF) championship held at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Clovis.
Driving the news: Along with the two first-place finishes in the women’s events, Hernandez secured a second-place finish in the long jump.
- Woodrow Wilson High School’s Loren Webster being the sole female competitor to outperform Hernandez in a women’s competition this weekend.
- During the medal ceremonies, female contestants who finished one spot behind Hernandez were awarded medals based on their placements among biological female competitors, in accordance with the CIF’s updated guidelines – implemented in the wake of Trump’s condemnation earlier in the week.
The bigger picture: Controversy and protests accompanied Hernandez’s participation in the championship event, with conflicting demonstrations from pro-LGBTQ and pro-female groups.
- Tensions even escalated to the point of violence when a LGBTQ protester allegedly struck a local conservative activist with a flag pole.
- Despite the backlash, California continued to support Hernandez’s participation, prompting a response from President Trump on social media.
- The U.S. Department of Justice also announced an investigation into the state regarding the issue, signaling widespread controversy over transgender athletes competing in girls’ track and field championships across the nation.
