Topline
President Donald Trump threatened to impose “large scale fines” against California after a transgender girl competed in a state track and field championship over the weekend, which she won alongside other competitors under a rule that allows trans athletes to compete as long as more athletes can medal.
Trump signed an executive order in February threatening to pull funds from organizations that let … More
Key Facts
Trump threatened to fine the state in a late-night Monday Truth Social post, targeting Gov. Gavin Newsom and stating he had “warned” California not to allow trans athletes to compete.
The athlete, A.B. Hernandez, competed and shared medals with other competitors under a California Interscholastic Federation rule that allows trans athletes to compete so long as cisgender athletes who would’ve been bumped from qualifying or winning a medal by a trans athlete are allowed to compete and receive a medal anyway.
Without mentioning Hernandez’s victory, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon posted a letter she sent to California public schools on X Monday, accusing schools who let trans athletes compete of violating federal law and directing them to bar trans athletes from competition by June 9.
Trump previously signed an executive order in February barring trans women and girls from participating in women’s sports, threatening to pull federal funds from organizations that violate his directive.
Key Background
Hernandez, a junior at California’s Jurupa Valley High School, shared first place in the high jump and triple jump and second place in the long jump events at Saturday’s state track and field competition. Her participation was allowed by a state federation rule change, made in anticipation of Hernandez’s possible victory, that allowed her to share the podium with cisgender girls. The rule change also allowed more girls, who would’ve been barred from the finals for finishing behind Hernandez in qualifying rounds, to participate, in an attempt to ease concerns that Hernandez’s participation would preclude cisgender girls from competing. California state law, signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown in 2013, allows students to participate in sex-segregated activities, including school sports, based on their gender identity.
Did Hernandez’s Victory Spark Controversy?
At Saturday’s meet, some protesters objected to Hernandez’s participation, though the atmosphere was largely civil, according to reports. Hernandez and her fellow medalists joked and high-fived one another, the New York Times reported, and the medalists continued to smile as one voice shouted from the crowd, “That’s a boy.” Brooke White, one of Hernandez’s co-medalists, told the San Francisco Chronicle sharing the podium with Hernandez “was nothing but an honor,” stating the athlete is “a superstar, she’s a rock star, she’s representing who she is.” Some protesters outside the event, however, objected to Hernandez’s participation, chanting “No boys in girl sports” through megaphones, CNN reported. An airplane carrying a banner with the same phrase also flew over the stadium during the event.
Crucial Quote
“I’m still a child. You’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,” Hernandez, 16, told Capital & Main in May, stating she has “trained so hard” and that most of her competitors are “shocked” that opponents to her participation would “bully a child.”
Further Reading
Trans high school athlete wins two events at California finals in shadow of protests, Trump funding threats (CNN)
Trans athlete embraced as California track and field champion by peers while adult activists duel (San Francisco Chronicle)
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