The mother of athlete AB Hernandez says the criticism is related to politics ahead of the mid-term elections.
Trans athlete dominates California girls' track meet
NCAA Women's soccer player Sophia Lorey describes the 'heartbreaking' impact of a transgender athlete's victory in the girls' track and field events at the California meet. Lorey, who spoke at the 'Save the Girls' rally, criticized Governor Newsom's description of the protesters as 'bullies,' stressing the injustice against female athletes and the need for fair competition.
As the debate over transgender athletes continues in California, concerns about competitive equality remain central to the conversation.
Jurupa Valley senior AB Hernandez, who was born a man, made three outstanding performances in the girls events in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 opener.
Save Girls' Sports activists gathered outside Yorba Linda High School to protest, OutKick documented first-hand interviews with parents and attendees.
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One attendee acknowledged that the debate surrounding a high school athlete could be controversial, but said the issue of impartiality is straightforward. The results, they say, speak for themselves after Hernandez's performance.
As criticism of the disparity in competition grew after the meet, pro-trans activists pushed back with the usual argument that inclusion is more important than results, while opponents argued that female athletes were losing opportunities in the process.
Trans athlete AB Hernandez swept the jumping events at the CIF Division 3 prelims, fueling the ongoing fairness debate. (OutKick/Alejandro Avila) ((OutKick/Alejandro Avila))
Hernandez will continue to compete under CIF rules that allow for transgender participation and is scheduled to compete on Saturday, May 16, before moving on to the CIF finals in Clovis later this month.
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AB Hernandez's mother, Nereyda, declined to speak to OutKick about unfairness in women's sports, but told Los Angeles Times in an exclusive interview that the criticism directed at her child is politically motivated during the midterm election cycle.
Talking about the previous speeches on May 9, Nereyda said that she encouraged AB to ignore the activists and dismissed many criticisms as being related to politics.
Nereyda told the Times, “When they started posting [online] about their protest, I thought, 'Wow, it's going to be another crazy year,'” she said. “But no, outside, maybe, they had 10 people. … They are there to guide one child, but they affect them all.”
Nereyda also suggested that the controversy surrounding AB has become more politically charged as the national debate about transgender athletes heats up.
“I told AB, this is a [midterm] in the election year,” said Nereyda. “They will hit us hard, because they use us for their campaigns.”
Nereyda Hernandez during the CIF Southern Section Division 5 girls volleyball playoffs on Oct. 22, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Hernandez's standout performances at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries included wins in the triple jump by more than four feet and the long jump by more than two feet.
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Those margins are important at the elite high school level.
Save Girls' sports advocates say Hernandez's results highlight the competitive advantages created by the natural differences in girls' athletics.
Nereyda and pro-AB activists have defended CIF policies that allow transgender athletes to compete based on gender identity, even as California Gov. Gavin Newsom has publicly acknowledged concerns about fairness.
“I think it's a justice issue. I totally agree with you on that,” Newsom told Charlie Kirk during an early 2025 podcast appearance.
The California governor continued, “It's a matter of justice. It's very wrong,” he said. “I'm not arguing about fairness. I agree with you completely.”
Despite the growing backlash, Nereyda Hernandez is unwavering in her criticism of the protesters for disrupting her family's peace. He dismissed much of the criticism as external agitation rather than the concerns of families directly involved in the competition.
“He has been doing this game since the beginning of the year [of high school],” said Nereyda. “He's not doing anything bad.”
“Just outside,” Nereyda added. “They come in pretending to be parents or they know people, but I am a mother and I know who they are.”
Supporters of Save Girls' Sports often point to high-profile lawsuits as evidence of what they believe is a growing competitive gap in women's athletics.
Transgender athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley leaves the track during the CIF State Track and Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis, Calif., on May 30, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Critics portray the organization as politically motivated, but many athletes and parents involved insist their concerns are centered on competition rather than ideology.
They say women's sports exist to preserve the opportunities and competition protected for female athletes under Title IX.
Among the often-cited examples is former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, who moved from competing on the men's team, where Thomas was ranked 462nd nationally before winning the NCAA Division I women's national championship.
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Advocates argued that the retained physical benefits still created a disparity that female athletes could not overcome through training alone.
The organization also names San Jose State volleyball player Blair Fleming, whose appearance on the court sparked a national controversy and caused opponents to forfeit games due to concerns about the safety and integrity of the women's division.
In a separate statement released by TransFamily Support Services, Nereyda Hernandez said that much of the abuse against AB comes from adults, including those “in positions of authority who are supposed to be the protectors of our youth.”
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He said AB was “just attacked for who he is,” while noting that the contestants were generally respectful.
While the emotional weight of a mother protecting her child cannot be denied, supporters of Save Girls' Sports argue that the compassion of one athlete should not come without opportunities for other young women.
They point to expanding job vacancies as evidence to support those concerns as transgender participation increases in girls' and women's sports.
For years, athletes and parents who questioned transgender participation in women's sports were often called transphobic.
But as the debate gains national attention, more families are arguing that acknowledging biological diversity is not an act of hate.
Supporters say girls are losing stage spots, titles and academic opportunities to competitors with measurable physical advantages.
Nereyda Hernandez told The Times that her family is looking forward to the meeting, despite the expected protests.
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Meanwhile, fans insist that their goal is not to attack the student, but to protect women's sports.
For supporters of Save Girls'Sports, the answer is clear: secure competition for female athletes must come first.
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