Shannon Kessler, a women’s sports advocate and candidate for California’s 30th Assembly District, reported that her attire led to a disruption at a school board candidate forum. She wore a ‘Save Girls Sports’ shirt to a forum on September 21 for the Lucia Mar Unified School District trustee candidates in Arroyo Grande. The shirt also had her name and campaign details on the back.
The forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County and the American Association of University Women’s 5 Cities Pismo Beach Branch, was stopped when Kessler was asked to cover her shirt. A host announced a ‘violation’ and instructed everyone to leave the room. The violation stemmed from forum rules prohibiting slogans, leading to a halt in proceedings.
Despite agreeing to cover her campaign details initially, Kessler eventually covered the front of her shirt as well. The forum continued without an audience, with candidates responding to pre-submitted questions on camera.
Kessler noted that the rules were applied unevenly, mentioning a person with a ‘Trans kids belong’ shirt was not asked to cover it. The League’s rules forbid campaign materials in the room, allowing them only in designated areas outside.
Kessler argued that her shirt represented her advocacy and was not specifically a campaign message. When organizers disagreed, they dismissed the audience. Police records reported a disturbance call at the high school address, but police did not remove Kessler.
Ultimately, Kessler covered the shirt with a jacket, had signage removed, and put a branded water bottle away, following objections. She regarded the event as discriminatory, feeling her First Amendment rights were violated.
The incident is part of a broader local debate over transgender students’ participation in girls’ sports. Kessler and others have raised concerns at school board meetings. Kessler’s organization, Save Girls Sports Central Coast, was started in 2025, prior to her Assembly campaign. Kessler emphasized her intent to continue advocacy irrespective of the election outcome.