Protests Against Trans Athletes in Women’s Sports in California

On Friday, a group of California girls, along with their families and activists, made their way to the office of the Inter-Collegiate Federation of Governance (CIF) to voice their concerns over state laws permitting biologically male trans athletes to participate in women’s sports.

This protest, organized by the California Family Council, was publicized through a press release the day before. Notable female athletes, including Taylor Sterling, Caitlyn Slavin, and Celeste Deust, are set to speak during press conferences held at the event.

Sterling and Slavin are in the midst of a lawsuit against the Riverside Unified School District, following an incident where a trans athlete took Sterling’s varsity cross-country spot last fall. Allegedly, school officials compared their “Save Girls Sports” t-shirts to Swastikas.

Duist gained attention for his remarks during a Lucia Mar Unified School District Board Meeting in April, sharing that he must share a locker room with a trans athlete before track practices.

“It’s about justice,” stated Sophia Lowry, outreach director for the California Family Council, in a press release. “Girls across California are facing sidelining due to policies that overlook biological reality. The CIF needs to respond.”

The rally comes after a recent controversy at the CIF Athletics Championships, where trans student Ab Hernandez from Julpa Valley High School won first place in both the High Jump and Triple Jump events.

In the days leading up to the event, former President Donald Trump issued a warning to California, suggesting that allowing trans athletes to compete in women’s events could jeopardize federal funding.

The CIF updated their rules to enable girls who placed behind a trans athlete to advance, yet Hernandez still competed. The girl who took second had to stand on the podium alongside the trans athletes during the medal ceremony.

Trump further stated he would impose a “massive fine” on California for allowing biological males to secure multiple women’s state titles as of June 3.

“The biological men have claimed a significant victory despite warnings from Governor Gavin Newsom, who fully comprehends the situation and will face a substantial fine!” Trump declared.

In late May, the Department of Justice launched a federal investigation related to potential Title IX violations regarding policies allowing trans athletes in women’s sports, with ongoing discussions since February.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office communicated with the U.S. Department of Justice, addressing a warning about policies that allow trans athletes in women’s competitions ahead of a June 9 deadline.

“We are deeply concerned about the Trump administration’s continuous threats to California schools and remain committed to upholding state laws that protect all students, including transgender individuals, from discrimination and harassment,” the office stated.

A bipartisan analysis indicated that many Californians oppose biological male trans athletes competing in women’s sports, with over 70% of state school parents in that group.

“Most Californians believe that trans athletes should compete on teams aligned with the gender assigned at birth,” the poll noted. About 65% of adults and 64% of voters support this requirement.

In a podcast episode earlier this year, Newsom described the competition of trans athletes in women’s sports as “deeply unfair.”