For the second consecutive week, a transgender athlete has triumphed in three jumping events at a women’s track and field meet in California, igniting significant national debate once again. The aftermath on the medal podium drew mockery from some observers.
Transgender athlete AB Hernandez claimed victory in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump during the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Regional Finals on Saturday. Interestingly, a female athlete, who was initially expected to secure first place, ended up sharing the spotlight due to a rule set last year, which elevates the rankings of female athletes who place behind transgender athletes.
Photos and videos from the awards ceremonies, where Hernandez was seen alongside the top female finisher on the podium, circulated widely on social media. This incident led to backlash against the CIF from various politicians, including Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-Calif.), along with activists like Riley Gaines and Jennifer Say.
The CIF’s pilot program allows female athletes finishing below transgender athletes to rank higher, a decision made after Hernandez reached the state finals last May. The program was initially proposed to aid female athletes missing out on qualifying by just one position in competitions that included trans athletes.
On May 16, the CIF informed parents in a letter about the reintroduction of this policy, emphasizing their commitment to all student-athletes while adhering to California law. It’s a complex issue—there are many voices advocating for both sides, leading to confusion and emotional responses.
After Hernandez’s previous successes at the state level, there were threats of losing federal funding directed toward California, which was raised by the Trump administration in response to the state’s handling of transgender athletes. This led to the Department of Justice filing a Title IX-related lawsuit against the state last July.
Parents of female competitors at Saturday’s event expressed concerns during conversations about the program potentially remaining in place for the duration of the postseason.
Moreover, just the weekend prior, Save Girls Sports protesters gathered at the sectional preliminaries, reigniting the discussion around Hernandez and the ongoing implications for women’s sports. A statement from Governor Newsom’s office reiterated the need for discussions around this topic to be grounded in fairness and respect for all children involved.
California has laws requiring participation in single-sex sports based on gender identity—legislation that was signed into effect back in 2013. Meanwhile, Hernandez, along with other champions from the Southern Section, will move forward to next Saturday’s CIF qualifier, where she will compete for a return to the state finals.
The two-day state finals are slated to begin on May 29 in Clovis, California.
