CLOVIS, Calif. (FOX26) — A tense standoff outside Veterans Memorial Stadium unfolded as track and field athletes competed for championship titles, with controversy surrounding one competitor drawing both critics and supporters to the venue.
Since 2013, California law has allowed transgender students to participate in school sports consistent with their gender identity.
Under a pilot program first implemented last year, the top cisgender female athlete shared the podium with AB Hernandez, and additional cisgender female athletes qualified for the state finals in events where transgender athletes participate. The California Interscholastic Federation announced the rule will continue this year.
The push against transgender athletes in women’s sports has intensified, along with opposition to those defending them.
The U.S. Justice Department has launched a legal battle against California over allegations the state is violating Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination at schools that receive federal aid.
Hernandez, a varsity and senior jumper, competed at the meet amid years of controversy after she was outed as a transgender girl competing in the girls category.
Outside the stadium, critics called for girls sports to only include biological girls, while transgender advocates gathered nearby to show support.
On one corner, people held signs saying “Protect women’s sports.” On the other, transgender advocates read statements of support from members of the community and political leaders. There was a moment when a critic got in the face of one of the advocates, but nothing further happened.
Daisy Gardner is as a family friend of Hernandez. She is in awe of Hernandez’s ability to stay strong through the criticism.
“She is a light of sunshine in the darkness,” Gardner said.
Last year the NCAA changed their policy banning transgender girls from competing with biological girls.
“No trans women can join a girls team in college and support and play. So there’s no scholarships lost, there’s no podium spots lost, there’s no medal being lost,” Gardner said.
Mary Davis, who drove from San Diego, criticized Hernandez competing in the meet and said she believes transgender girls have an unfair advantage over biological girls.
“Take it back to boys and girls and let them compete where they’re born and make it fair for everybody and quit erasing the rights of girls,” Davis said.
Critics also argued that an ideology is being pushed onto children and parents.
“I have more sympathy for the transgender kids and the parents too,” Marci Stronge said. “Imagine a parent thinking, ‘Oh my God, if I don’t let my kid do this, they’re going to commit suicide.'”
After the first competition finished, Hernandez placed and shared third in the girls varsity long jump.
Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, briefly spoke at the meet, saying she is proud of her daughter and grateful for what she described as overwhelming support from community members. She also criticized President Trump for putting what she called a “target on her child’s back.”
To look at live updates of competition results, click HERE.