The girls’ volleyball team at Riverside Poly High School in California decided not to participate in a match against Jurupa Valley High School last Friday night. The reasoning behind this move is thought to involve a player from Jurupa Valley who is identified as a biological male trans athlete.
The school announced this decision, stating that the match will be recorded as confiscated in non-league rankings. They acknowledged the disappointment this brings to athletes and supporters and emphasized their commitment to maintaining a safe environment for student-athletes throughout the season.
However, no specific reason for the forfeiture was provided in the announcement. Amanda Vickers, a board member of the Riverside Unified School District, indicated that the decision might be tied to the presence of Ab Hernandez, a trans athlete from Jurupa Valley who has been part of the roster in the past and is believed to be involved this year as well.
Vickers noted, “I think it’s because they’re playing AB Hernandez, and the students have expressed their concerns.” She mentioned that parents of players were seen wearing “Save Girls Sports” shirts, suggesting they were prepared for protests due to the situation.
Vickers further stressed the necessity of this action for the safety of female athletes, referencing a former volleyball player, Payton McNabb. She asserted, “This highlights the distinction between biological girls and boys, and we want to avoid letting the girls at Riverside Poly High School experience what happened to Peyton McNabb.”
The Jurupa Unified School District responded regarding the forfeiture but chose not to elaborate further. They simply confirmed the cancellation without providing additional commentary.
Riverside has found itself at the center of heated discussions about trans athletes in women’s sports, particularly involving Hernandez, whose participation led to lawsuits from two girls claiming they were edged out of competitive spots on the cross-country team. Reports indicated a movement among students to wear “Save Girls Sports” t-shirts weekly.
Hernandez drew significant media attention earlier this year during the California Women’s Athletics Championships, where protests from competing female athletes and their families occurred, with many donning “Save Girls Sports” shirts.
The situation even prompted a response from former President Donald Trump, who commented on social media in advance of the state finals. Hernandez won titles in the Women’s High Jump and Triple Jump amidst controversy involving protests from conservative activists and LGBTQ supporters.
Moreover, the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated lawsuits against California’s education department over policies that permit biological men to compete in women’s sports, which contradicts efforts from Trump to impose restrictions earlier this year.
Recently, Hernandez received recognition from state Senator Sabrina Cervantes during a city council meeting, where she presented him with certificates acknowledging his athletic achievements.
A majority of California residents, including over 70% of parents in state schools, oppose the participation of biological male trans athletes in women’s sports, according to a poll conducted by the California Institute of Public Policy. Support remains strong for policies requiring trans athletes to compete according to the gender assigned at birth. This sentiment spans various demographics, with around 65% of adults and 64% of voters in favor of such regulations.
