California trans athlete podium controversy sparks outrage among politicians, activists
A girls track meet in California made national headlines for the second week in a row when a trans athlete swept the triple jump events. What happened on the podium later was ridiculous.
Trans athlete AB Hernandez won first place in the high jump, long jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section finals on Saturday. As well as the girl who was going to finish first, based on the law that was enacted last year that benefited any female athlete who finished behind a trans athlete in a higher place.
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Trans athlete AB Hernandez shares first place on the podium with a female athlete at the CIF Southern Section finals in Moorpark, California on May 16, 2026. (Fox News Digital)
Photos and video of the three podium ceremonies — one of which showed Hernandez and a top female finisher sharing the top of the podium — went viral on social media, prompting a backlash against CIF among politicians including Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., and Rep. Nancy Mace, RN.C.; and activists including Riley Gaines and Jennifer Sey.
CIF enacted a law that a state finals pilot program last May which awarded any female athlete who finished behind a trans athlete one higher place, resulting in the girls sharing the podium with Hernandez in the competition. The program also ensured that any female athlete who finished one place out of the state finals in events that included a trans competitor, would also compete for the title.
In a recent letter to parents dated May 16, CIF announced that the program will resume from Saturday's events.
“CIF values all of our student-athletes, and we will continue to support our mission of providing students with the opportunity to befriend, network and compete, while complying with California laws and education code,” the letter reads.
The CIF first established the program, which also advances to the state finals any female athlete who finishes one place without qualifying in events that include competing, last May after Hernandez reached the state finals, which made the President there. Donald Trump speaking out against California and Gov. Gavin Newsom has also threatened to lose federal funding if his executive order aimed at protecting girls and women's sports is not followed.
Trump's Justice Department then filed a Title IX is a charge against the state educational institutions in July of last year, after Hernandez won two state titles and finished second in another.
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A parent of a female athlete at Saturday's meeting told Fox News Digital that the coach informed them that the same testing program will be used for the rest of the season, starting with Saturday's finals.
Fox News Digital has reached out to CIF for comment.
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AB Hernandez, a transgender student at Jurupa Valley High School, jumps during practice before the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Divisional Championship Finals in Moorpark, Calif., on May 16, 2026. (Fox News Digital)
The controversy surrounding Hernandez and Jurupa Valley's season was renewed last Saturday when “Save Girls Sports” protesters held a rally in the first division. A source inside Newsom's office gave a statement to Fox News Digital in the days leading up to that meeting, addressing the meeting.
“The Governor said discussions on this matter should be guided by fairness, dignity, and respect. He rejects the dishonest attempt by the right wing to frame this debate as an excuse to slander individual children. The Governor's position is simple: stand with all children and stand up to bullies,” the statement reads.
“California is one of 22 states with laws requiring students to be allowed to participate in sex-segregated school sports that match their gender. California passed this law in 2013 (AB 1266) and it was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.”
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Hernandez, who is also the Southern Section champion, and all the other winners will advance to the CIF preliminary round next Saturday to face some of the state's top women's skaters, with a chance to return to the state finals.
The two-day finals begin on May 29 in Clovis, California.
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