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CBS News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
CIF issues ruling as trans athlete set to participate in state championship
This weekend, a trans athlete will be competing for a title against female competitors at the state track and field championship meet. It has inflamed an issue central to President Trump's supporters, as the worlds of sport, law and politics collide. At issue is a California law that guarantees students the right to participate in sports based on their gender identity. That's now being challenged on the basis of the federal law that protects women athletes from discrimination. AB Hernandez is a transgender track and field athlete who just qualified to compete for a title in the long jump, high jump and triple jump events. When she placed first in qualifiers in the long jump competition, there were a number of angry adults in the crowd calling foul. "That's a boy! That is a biological boy," yelled one woman. Later, Hernandez was asked whether the criticism affected her during competition. "Um, honestly, no," she said. "Nothing I can do about people's actions. Just focus on my own." But President Trump focused on it, sending out messages threatening to cut federal funding and accusing California of illegally allowing "men to play in women's sports." "It's truly a blatant abuse of power," said Jorge Reyes Salinas with the transgender advocacy group, Equality California. "Targeting a transgender athlete, an underage student, a child, for political points is shameful and he should be ashamed for doing that." But shortly thereafter, the group that governs high school sports, the California Interscholastic Federation, or CIF, announced that whoever may have had the next closest score to Hernandez would be allowed to compete in the finals as well. It felt like an admission that something may not be fair about the situation, something Governor Gavin Newsom recently discussed with conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. "Well, I think it's an issue of fairness. I completely agree on that. It is an issue of fairness. It's deeply unfair," said Newsom. "Well, would you speak out against this young man, AB Hernandez, who right now is going to win the state championship in long jump," asked Kirk. Newsom replied, "In 2014, years before I was governor, there was a law established that established the legal principles that allow trans athletes in women's sports." That law was AB 1266 which says, "A pupil shall be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil's records." CIF said it is required to allow Hernandez to compete for that reason. But a group called the California Families Council disagrees. "This is one of the only issues — the issues of boys' and girls' sports — that the majority of America agrees on. It's an 80/20 issue. We don't see that with many other social issues," said Communications Director Sophia Lorey. "So, no matter what people with CIF may be feeling or thinking, they keep saying their hands are tied by state law. But in reality, all they would have to do is come out and make a statement, and say, 'We will be following Title IX, which protects girls' sports, which allows equal opportunities for females.' Because at the end of the day, the federal ruling, Title IX, supersedes state law." The Department of Justice has joined the fight, announcing that it will be investigating whether AB 1266 is, in fact, a violation of Title IX. But Susan Cahn, history professor emeritus at the University of Buffalo, has studied women's sports and said the Title IX issue may not be as cut and dried as that. "Title IX has been interpreted the opposite way, too," said Cahn. "So, the gender discrimination could be understood as discriminating against that trans girl because she has a girl's identity. And that's how it was interpreted under Biden. And so, it really brings the fuzziness of Title IX out for us to look at. And that is a question that will probably be decided legally." In the meantime, the CIF is trying to walk a fine line. On Wednesday afternoon, they announced that, if Hernandez should make it to the finals, "a biological female student/athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark will also be advanced to the finals." And, if Hernandez should win a medal, CIF said a duplicate medal would also be awarded to the next closest female athlete in the competition.
CBS News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Newsom responds to questions on trans athletes after bills killed in California Assembly
SACRAMENTO — California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke to reporters for the first time since launching his podcast that features conservative guests and since revealing he opposes trans athletes competing in women's sports . Newsom arrived for an event at a fire training center at Modesto Junior College as burning questions remained about his revelation that the long-time LGBTQ+ supporter opposes trans athletes in women's sports. This presser came a day after Democratic lawmakers killed two bills that would have banned trans athletes from girls' and women's sports . "What's your response to that vote, and also, should there, from your position as governor, be a California state law that restricts trans athletes from playing in women's sports?" I asked Newsom. "These kids just want to survive," Newsom responded. "And so the question you're asking is the question we've been asking ourselves for months and haven't been able to answer — What is that? How can you make this fair? And I haven't been able to figure it out." Jorge Salinas is a spokesperson for Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. He said the organization is monitoring the governor's discussions. "Our reaction to what he said at the press conference, to what he said on the podcast, is still a reaction of disappointment," Salinas said. "Our relationship continues to be a respectful one. We still believe that he is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community until we see otherwise in action." Republican Assembly leader James Gallagher is calling for the governor to take action on his words. "If this was a real priority for him — fairness for young women in the state — you think he might have been here and you think he might have made some calls," Gallagher said. "To the extent someone can, and do it in a way that is respectful and responsible and can find a kind of balance, then I'm open to that discussion," Newsom said. "That said, this is not where all my energy flows." Newsom was in Modesto to announce a Master Plan for Career Education, which aims to connect Californians "to high-paying, fulfilling careers, with or without a college degree." The announcement included what is being called "career passports," which are digital tools combining academic records with verified experience from work like military service and training programs. The plan also invests in expanding credit for prior learning, allowing veterans and working Californians to turn real-world experience into college credit.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Inside California Democrats' intra-party feud over trans rights
SACRAMENTO, California — Senior officials in Gavin Newsom's administration discouraged Democrats from introducing transgender rights legislation weeks before the governor publicly split with his party on trans athletes, three people with direct knowledge of the talks told POLITICO. But members of the Legislature's LGBTQ Caucus ignored the direction and proposed a package of bills dealing with the topic anyway. The push from Nathan Barankin, Newsom's chief of staff, and Legislative Affairs Secretary Christine Aurre in a private January meeting illustrates the administration's sensitivity to politically incendiary trans issues and mounting concern about them possibly reaching the governor's desk. Newsom is among the nation's best-known Democrats and widely viewed as a likely contender for president in 2028. Newsom aides also sent similar messages ahead of last year's election. The caucus' growing frustration with the governor burst out into the open Thursday after Newsom said on his new podcast that trans women and girls participating on athletics teams matching their gender identity is 'deeply unfair.' 'We woke up profoundly disappointed and sickened, when you have someone who has been thoughtful and has been a very unwavering ally release a statement like that,' said Caucus Chair Chris Ward, a San Diego Democrat. 'This is playing into a lot of the conversation that Donald Trump is obsessing about in order to distract us.' Newsom's office declined to comment on the meeting. 'We continue to have productive conversations with the LGBTQ Caucus — including on legislation supporting transgender Californians,' Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said. 'We value the collaborative, open partnership we have with the Caucus." Newsom has delivered wins to LGBTQ+ rights advocates in the past, signing a bill that outlawed requirements that school staff alert parents when their child shows signs of being transgender at school. He strongly defended that bill in the podcast interview. As mayor of San Francisco, Newsom famously defied state and federal law by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. But he has also enraged LGBTQ Caucus members, particularly when he vetoed legislation that would have required judges to consider children's gender identity in custody disputes. 'We are profoundly disappointed and angered by Governor Newsom's comments about transgender youth and their ability to participate in sports,' Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang, whose group works closely with the caucus, said in a statement. 'Instead of standing strong, the governor has added to the heartbreak and fear caused by the relentless barrage of hate from the Trump administration.' Equality California endorsed Newsom in his first successful campaign for governor in 2018. At the time, the organization said Newsom was 'always on the forefront of the fight to advance LGBTQ civil rights' and one of the community's 'most dedicated champions.' Early this week, when the LGBTQ Caucus announced its priority bills for the year, Ward repeatedly emphasized that lawmakers 'will exercise our co-equal role' in governing. 'We are a co-equal branch, and we have our responsibilities to our community members to put their issues forward,' Ward said at a news conference on Wednesday. While diplomatic, the comments could in hindsight be read as a public assertion of the caucus' defiance of a governor who had sought to rein in its agenda. The slate of Democratic proposals for the year do not touch on more politically explosive issues like youth athletics. They would speed up changes to names and gender markers on driver's licenses and make confidential court records reflecting changes to a person's name and gender identification. Two Republican-authored bills would bar trans women and girls from participating in school sports matching their gender. But they don't stand a chance in the Democratic-dominated Legislature. Despite his comments, Newsom has not backed any policy changes. His previous public remarks as governor have generally been noncommittal on governance of sports participation — a dominant culture war issue. 'I got kids that are in sports, so I also understand there needs to be humility and grace,' Newsom told POLITICO in 2023, before drawing attention to scenarios 'when a kid's not standing there on stage because they feel like someone had an advantage, an unfair advantage.' Jeremy B. White contributed to this report. Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICO's California Playbook newsletter.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Inside California Democrats' intra-party feud over trans rights
SACRAMENTO, California — Senior officials in Gavin Newsom's administration discouraged Democrats from introducing transgender rights legislation weeks before the governor publicly split with his party on trans athletes, three people with direct knowledge of the talks told POLITICO. But members of the Legislature's LGBTQ Caucus ignored the direction and proposed a package of bills dealing with the topic anyway. The push from Nathan Barankin, Newsom's chief of staff, and Legislative Affairs Secretary Christine Aurre in a private January meeting illustrates the administration's sensitivity to politically incendiary trans issues and mounting concern about them possibly reaching the governor's desk. Newsom is among the nation's best-known Democrats and widely viewed as a likely contender for president in 2028. Newsom aides also sent similar messages ahead of last year's election. The caucus' growing frustration with the governor burst out into the open Thursday after Newsom said on his new podcast that trans women and girls participating on athletics teams matching their gender identity is 'deeply unfair.' 'We woke up profoundly disappointed and sickened, when you have someone who has been thoughtful and has been a very unwavering ally release a statement like that,' said Caucus Chair Chris Ward, a San Diego Democrat. 'This is playing into a lot of the conversation that Donald Trump is obsessing about in order to distract us.' Newsom's office declined to comment on the meeting. 'We continue to have productive conversations with the LGBTQ Caucus — including on legislation supporting transgender Californians,' Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said. 'We value the collaborative, open partnership we have with the Caucus." Newsom has delivered wins to LGBTQ+ rights advocates in the past, signing a bill that outlawed requirements that school staff alert parents when their child shows signs of being transgender at school. He strongly defended that bill in the podcast interview. As mayor of San Francisco, Newsom famously defied state and federal law by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. But he has also enraged LGBTQ Caucus members, particularly when he vetoed legislation that would have required judges to consider children's gender identity in custody disputes. 'We are profoundly disappointed and angered by Governor Newsom's comments about transgender youth and their ability to participate in sports,' Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang, whose group works closely with the caucus, said in a statement. 'Instead of standing strong, the governor has added to the heartbreak and fear caused by the relentless barrage of hate from the Trump administration.' Equality California endorsed Newsom in his first successful campaign for governor in 2018. At the time, the organization said Newsom was 'always on the forefront of the fight to advance LGBTQ civil rights' and one of the community's 'most dedicated champions.' Early this week, when the LGBTQ Caucus announced its priority bills for the year, Ward repeatedly emphasized that lawmakers 'will exercise our co-equal role' in governing. 'We are a co-equal branch, and we have our responsibilities to our community members to put their issues forward,' Ward said at a news conference on Wednesday. While diplomatic, the comments could in hindsight be read as a public assertion of the caucus' defiance of a governor who had sought to rein in its agenda. The slate of Democratic proposals for the year do not touch on more politically explosive issues like youth athletics. They would speed up changes to names and gender markers on driver's licenses and make confidential court records reflecting changes to a person's name and gender identification. Two Republican-authored bills would bar trans women and girls from participating in school sports matching their gender. But they don't stand a chance in the Democratic-dominated Legislature. Despite his comments, Newsom has not backed any policy changes. His previous public remarks as governor have generally been noncommittal on governance of sports participation — a dominant culture war issue. 'I got kids that are in sports, so I also understand there needs to be humility and grace,' Newsom told POLITICO in 2023, before drawing attention to scenarios 'when a kid's not standing there on stage because they feel like someone had an advantage, an unfair advantage.' Jeremy B. White contributed to this report. Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICO's California Playbook newsletter.
Politico
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Inside California Democrats' intra-party feud over trans rights
SACRAMENTO, California — Senior officials in Gavin Newsom's administration discouraged Democrats from introducing transgender rights legislation weeks before the governor publicly split with his party on trans athletes, three people with direct knowledge of the talks told POLITICO. But members of the Legislature's LGBTQ Caucus ignored the direction and proposed a package of bills dealing with the topic anyway. The push from Nathan Barankin, Newsom's chief of staff, and Legislative Affairs Secretary Christine Aurre in a private January meeting illustrates the administration's sensitivity to politically incendiary trans issues and mounting concern about them possibly reaching the governor's desk. Newsom is among the nation's best-known Democrats and widely viewed as a likely contender for president in 2028. Newsom aides also sent similar messages ahead of last year's election. The caucus' growing frustration with the governor burst out into the open Thursday after Newsom said on his new podcast that trans women and girls participating on athletics teams matching their gender identity is 'deeply unfair.' 'We woke up profoundly disappointed and sickened, when you have someone who has been thoughtful and has been a very unwavering ally release a statement like that,' said Caucus Chair Chris Ward, a San Diego Democrat. 'This is playing into a lot of the conversation that Donald Trump is obsessing about in order to distract us.' Newsom's office declined to comment on the meeting. 'We continue to have productive conversations with the LGBTQ Caucus — including on legislation supporting transgender Californians,' Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said. 'We value the collaborative, open partnership we have with the Caucus.' Newsom has delivered wins to LGBTQ+ rights advocates in the past, signing a bill that outlawed requirements that school staff alert parents when their child shows signs of being transgender at school. He strongly defended that bill in the podcast interview. As mayor of San Francisco, Newsom famously defied state and federal law by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. But he has also enraged LGBTQ Caucus members, particularly when he vetoed legislation that would have required judges to consider children's gender identity in custody disputes. 'We are profoundly disappointed and angered by Governor Newsom's comments about transgender youth and their ability to participate in sports,' Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang, whose group works closely with the caucus, said in a statement. 'Instead of standing strong, the governor has added to the heartbreak and fear caused by the relentless barrage of hate from the Trump administration.' Equality California endorsed Newsom in his first successful campaign for governor in 2018. At the time, the organization said Newsom was 'always on the forefront of the fight to advance LGBTQ civil rights' and one of the community's 'most dedicated champions.' Early this week, when the LGBTQ Caucus announced its priority bills for the year, Ward repeatedly emphasized that lawmakers 'will exercise our co-equal role' in governing. 'We are a co-equal branch, and we have our responsibilities to our community members to put their issues forward,' Ward said at a news conference on Wednesday. While diplomatic, the comments could in hindsight be read as a public assertion of the caucus' defiance of a governor who had sought to rein in its agenda. The slate of Democratic proposals for the year do not touch on more politically explosive issues like youth athletics. They would speed up changes to names and gender markers on driver's licenses and make confidential court records reflecting changes to a person's name and gender identification. Two Republican-authored bills would bar trans women and girls from participating in school sports matching their gender. But they don't stand a chance in the Democratic-dominated Legislature. Despite his comments, Newsom has not backed any policy changes. His previous public remarks as governor have generally been noncommittal on governance of sports participation — a dominant culture war issue. 'I got kids that are in sports, so I also understand there needs to be humility and grace,' Newsom told POLITICO in 2023, before drawing attention to scenarios 'when a kid's not standing there on stage because they feel like someone had an advantage, an unfair advantage.' Jeremy B. White contributed to this report. Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICO's California Playbook newsletter.
