Jennifer Sey, CEO of XX-XY Athletics, discusses the debate over a transgender high school athlete winning state track titles in California. She emphasizes that biological boys competing in girls’ sports undermine fair competition, advocating for legislation to uphold Title IX’s purpose.
A federal judge dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit against California, allowing biological males to continue competing in girls’ sports. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Valenzuela rejected the case, with the decision publicly announced and drawing a swift DOJ response on Tuesday.
The case, initially pursued by Trump’s Justice Department, aimed to defend fair play by enforcing Title IX as a safeguard for female athletes. The Supreme Court recently upheld states’ power to ban trans athletes from girls’ and women’s sports but didn’t mandate such policies, leaving California’s practices intact.
California girls’ track athletes protested trans inclusion at a meet at Yorba Linda High School on May 10, 2025. First-place winners AB Hernandez and Jillene Wetteland shared a light moment before the high jump medal ceremony at the California high school track-and-field championships on May 31, 2025.
Judge Valenzuela avoided the debate over biological fairness, basing her decision on administrative funding rules after the federal government failed to provide California with prior notice before threatening to withdraw $44 billion in education funds. The Justice Department confirmed it is reviewing an appeal, expressing disappointment with the Court’s order.
The Supreme Court ruling came after the court supported states’ authority to ban trans athletes from competing in girls’ sports. However, it did not require such laws, allowing California to maintain its policy while the DOJ considers appealing.
According to critics, the impact of transgender athletes cannot be assessed solely by numbers. One biological male can alter state championship results, take a varsity position from a female athlete, or influence college recruiting and opportunities.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, alongside Sacramento lawmakers and the California Interscholastic Federation, has allowed biological males identifying as female to join girls’ sports teams since 2013. The issue gained attention with AB Hernandez, a trans athlete from Jurupa Valley High School, who competed in girls’ track and field and volleyball.
During the 2025 and 2026 CIF State Track & Field Championships, Hernandez claimed four state titles, winning consecutively in the high jump and triple jump events, and finishing third in the 2026 long jump.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized California’s approach to trans athletes, urging Gov. Newsom to make definitive choices.
The situation compelled CIF to award duplicate medals to female athletes affected by the competition disparity. Protesters held ‘Save Girls Sports’ signs during the CIF State Track and Field Championships on May 30, 2025.
Hernandez’s involvement in the girls’ varsity volleyball team extended the issue beyond competitive fairness to physical safety. Several rival schools chose to forfeit matches rather than risk injury by allowing their players to face high-velocity plays.
The battle over Title IX continues, with Sacramento politicians prioritizing progressive gender mandates at the expense of common sense. Young female athletes bear the brunt of these decisions on the court and track.