Transgender athletes are making headlines in high school sports across the United States.
Recently, biologically male athletes participated in track championships in Oregon, Washington, and California, despite a February executive order from former President Trump aimed at banning trans athletes in women’s sports.
This participation is ongoing in several states, where legal battles and state policies clash with federal regulations. A pledge of defiance against Maine Governor Janet Mills has led to halted federal funding, while challenges in California have prompted a DOJ inquiry into possible violations of Title IX.
“This isn’t fair, and it’s really unfair to women and girls,” Trump expressed on May 27th via Truth Social.
A poll from February showed that 66% of Americans now believe athletes should compete based on their biological sex, an increase from 58% in 2022.
Here are some notable incidents in high school sports from 2024 to 2025:
Jurupa Valley, California
16-year-old trans athlete AB Hernandez claimed first place in the women’s high and triple jump events during the California high school championship and took second in the long jump.
Hernandez celebrated on the podium alongside biologically female athletes who finished behind her, after they voiced concerns about the inclusion of trans athletes in competitions.
Reese Hogan, who finished second to Hernandez in the triple jump, quickly posed for a photo on the podium afterward.
Changing rules in California regarding these competitions were enacted after Trump publicly criticized the state’s policies on trans athletes.
Shirley, New York
A 14-year-old trans athlete stirred controversy when joining the varsity track team at William Floyd High School without undergoing hormone therapy. Some female students expressed discomfort about sharing locker room space with a biologically male competitor.
Portland, Oregon
At the state track championships in Eugene, two female seniors, Alexa Anderson and Leese Eckard, refused to take the podium with fifth-placed trans athlete Lear Rose, who competed as male last year.
Ada Gallagher, a junior who identifies as trans, finished second in the 400m race, previously securing first in the 200m event in February.
Tecoma, Washington
On the same day, 17-year-old trans athlete Veronica Garcia won her second straight Class 2A 400m state title, admitting that negative crowd reactions only fueled her determination.
Concord, New Hampshire
In October 2024, a female soccer player at Bishop Brady High School staged a walkout during a game against Kearsarge Regional High School to protest the inclusion of a transgender player.
Shelton, Washington
A basketball game in February between Tumwater and Shelton High Schools led to civil rights complaints regarding the transgender players on Shelton’s roster. One female athlete, Francis Thard, expressed her discomfort with the situation.
San Francisco, California
A trans player on the girls’ basketball team at San Francisco Waldorf High School scored 29 points in a game, leading the team to a significant victory in January.
However, the team faced a setback later when they lost a key athlete who could not play after Trump’s executive order.
Bridgeport, West Virginia
Freshman Becky Pepper Jackson made history as the first trans athlete to compete in the state track championship in May, securing a spot on the medal podium in the girls’ discus event.
Plymouth, New Hampshire
A federal judge recently blocked a ban imposed by former Governor Chris Sununu that prevented trans athletes in grades 5-12 from competing on teams aligning with their gender identity.
Champlin, Minnesota
In May, the championship game saw Champlin Park High School defeat Rogers High School, with the latter’s transgender pitcher contributing significantly to the game.
Riverside, California
A co-captain of the women’s track team at Martin Luther King High School claimed she lost her varsity spot to a trans athlete who transferred to her school.
