Trans athlete AB Hernandez’s last dance
As the conversation around trans athletes in women’s sports heats up ahead of the election, California community members, including friends and family, reflect on the impact of AB Hernandez.
Clovis, California – A man at an ice cream stand nudged his friend when AB Hernandez walked by. “Hey, that’s AB Hernandez,” he whispered, pointing from the ramparts of Veterans Memorial Stadium. The friend replied, “I don’t know who that is.”
Hernandez was competing Friday in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump events during the state championships. Attention and whispers surrounded this prominent transgender athlete, who made headlines over the past two years for high school track and field and also for volleyball.
Daisy Gardner, a local LGBTQ activist, mentioned she has known Hernandez and her mother, Nereida, since 2024, when discussions about trans athlete participation gained traction. “It’s like they were walking through fire,” Gardner said. “I don’t know any other high schoolers who faced such scrutiny from national figures. There were even death threats.”
“Nena and AB Hernandez manage to put that aside and focus on their sport, just like all great athletes do.”
Hernandez maintained that same spirit during the state convention, shortly after making an appearance with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer.
The buzz on social media ramped up before and after Hernandez won two state championships, sharing the podium with the runners-up. Conversations and mixed reactions filled the air.
During the competition, Hernandez sported a warm smile, especially while engaging with fellow female competitors, laughing and chatting along the way. One of the girls close to Hernandez was the daughter of Jennifer Oliver, a California mother.
“It was a solid group of girls. We had fun, bouncing around and supporting each other during downtime,” Oliver said.
However, Oliver personally disagrees with biological males competing in women’s sports, which has sparked discussions at home. “It’s a sensitive topic right now. My daughter doesn’t fully grasp the impact of men in women’s athletics,” she said, noting that specific incidents, like injuries or rankings lost, haven’t resonated much with her child.
“She aims to be inclusive, yet I feel schools have been overly cautious, focusing on microaggressions and misgendering rather than having open conversations.”
Oliver’s daughter reacted strongly when her mother criticized trans athletes in a recent interview. “She was really upset. My older daughter didn’t understand what it’s like to navigate high school under the weight of social media pressures,” Oliver shared.
“It’s important to be kind to each other, regardless of gender identity, while also advocating for sports guidelines based on biology,” she added.
Jolene Vayo, whose daughter competed against Hernandez, noted her child feels uncomfortable voicing her opinions against trans athletes, fearing she might hurt feelings. “She believes men have an unfair advantage but is hesitant to speak out,” Vayo relayed.
“It’s crucial to teach kids about asserting boundaries without guilt when they feel something is unfair,” Vayo remarked, suggesting the silence around gender discussions stems from polarization.
The narrative of AB Hernandez is intertwined with the experiences of the girls who have shared fields and podiums with her, many of whom have faced backlash for opposing her participation. Some, like Reece Hogan and others, have actively supported the Save Girls Sports movement.
Hogan previously mentioned he might be facing backlash for his stance against Hernandez in women’s sports. Meanwhile, former teammates of Hernandez, Hadeel Hazameh and Alyssa McPherson, claimed they were marginalized after their interactions with her.
“No child should be attacked online, and I’m sorry to hear about those incidents,” Gardner commented regarding the alleged harassment.
As destiny would have it, Hernandez’s final high school event coincided closely with the California gubernatorial primary. During a video appearance, Steyer praised Hernandez, while Republican candidate Steve Hilton criticized him just hours later at a rally.
One year ago, Hernandez became a focal point in high school sports after Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for allowing trans athletes in women’s competitions. Newsom’s approach has led to dissatisfaction from both sides, being labeled as “grossly unfair” by some.
As an LGBTQ advocate, Gardner refrained from critiquing Newsom’s stance but emphasized her gratitude for those working to support vulnerable children.
On a different front, Oliver and Vayo advocate for change through voting rather than protests. “People need to be aware and involved in local elections,” Oliver said regarding the issues surrounding trans athletes.
Vayo echoed this sentiment, suggesting the way to resolve the matter is at the ballot box, emphasizing that silence from adults and leaders is setting a concerning precedent.
Others in the community adopted a more confrontational approach when Save Girls Sports activists disrupted a press conference held by LGBTQ advocacy groups, prompting police intervention.
Nereida Hernandez had just spoken when counter-protesters arrived. Despite conflicts, both sides were able to share their views with the media, indicating progress since last year’s confrontations that turned violent.
“I forgive my attacker, as the Bible instructs,” shared Josh Fulfer, referring to a prior incident of assault he faced during previous events.
Nonetheless, tensions linger as the political climate and social media continue to escalate discussions around gender issues. With the upcoming California primary looming, Hernandez’s performance remains prominent in public discourse.
