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San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
How support helped AB Hernandez, trans track and field champ ‘with mad attitude,' brave national backlash
JURUPA VALLEY, Riverside County — After two transgender girls were bullied out of competing at the California state track and field championships in 2023, jumper AB Hernandez was prepared to make the leap 'alone' in a potentially hostile Veteran's Memorial Stadium some hundred miles away from home when her time came in 2025. The applause she heard when her name was announced in Clovis as a finalist for the long jump, after her mere presence had attracted the scorn of none other than the President of the United States, helped her realize she was safe. 'I was expecting for it to be dead silent,' AB said. It was the kind of acceptance she was once hesitant to ask for, even of her mother. Flash back to when she was in ninth grade. At 1:30 a.m. one morning in the Hernandez household, AB wept. Her identity as a transgender girl was years removed from becoming national news. Only her mom, Nereyda, could console her. At AB's bedside, Nereyda asked, 'What's wrong?' Nothing, she would learn. Nothing was wrong. AB had begun dressing as a girl about a year earlier. She wore a blanket hoodie most mornings to conceal as much, unsure how Nereyda, who raised four kids in a Catholic family, regularly attending Sunday Mass, might react. AB holed up in her room as much as possible to limit any potential risk of being found out. A friend of Nereyda's eventually filled her in, assuming she already knew. Nereyda admitted she did not fully understand at first. That early morning, some months later, cleared all doubt. A broken-down AB said she did not know how to be a boy. 'It was definitely difficult in the beginning but she let whatever she had known go,' AB told the Chronicle. 'She's like, 'You're still my kid, so this is what it's going to be.'' Last weekend, AB Hernandez was crowned a California Interscholastic Federation state champion in triple jump and high jump. In accordance with the CIF's new policy, she was accompanied by at least one peer on all of her podium placements, including when she finished second in long jump. A duplicate medal was awarded to the jumper who finished one spot behind AB in her three events, an attempt at compromise announced after President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the state if AB was allowed to compete in the girls division. Nereyda, a former Trump supporter, watched as the President's comments rallied what she called a 'culture war' among conservative and liberal politicians, activists and pundits, only several months after her daughter had been outed as trans via doxxing by Sonja Shaw, school board president of the Chino Valley Unified School District in San Bernardino County. AB, 16, found a path forward through support she received. 'They picked the right kid for us, the wrong kid for them because, like (the protestors) said, we will not back down," she said. At the behest of a friend, the first sport AB signed up for as a freshman at Jurupa Valley High was volleyball. She hesitated, for fear of upsetting others on the team. But her friend was adamant. 'I was like, 'OK, fine with me,' as long as I have one friend,' AB said. 'But then that one friend turned into all of them being my friends.' A similar process ushered her into track and field. She did not join to switch from the boys to girls division in an effort to gain a competitive advantage — an argument invented by a handful of protesters at this year's state meet who also mistook AB, a jumper, for a runner. She had never competed against a boy in high school sports to begin with. Sports offered a space for her to just be herself, another one of the girls. Nightly Facetime calls with a friend group of seven to eight helped steady her ahead of a weekend in Clovis that saw her chased down by a reporter from the Daily Mail, a London tabloid, in the Veteran's Memorial Parking Lot, the odd conclusion to what was, for her, an otherwise normal CIF state championships meet. Fortunately for AB, she had the group she refers to as her future bridesmaids to laugh with after the fact. 'I got into (sports) like any other teenage girl — with her friends,' she said. AB started as a hurdler at the recommendation of Jurupa Valley High School head coach Kevin Garcia, who would shortly come to find out her best event was one in which he had limited experience coaching. They spent countless hours at the sand pit, each learning from the other after every trial and error of long jump, a field event that requires as much strength and power as it does technical skill. She often took practice time away from her other two jumping events to master it. By her sophomore year, AB medaled third in the long jump. This year as a junior, she finished fourth — nationally. Her attempt of 12.87 meters, a personal record that comfortably positioned her atop the finals leaderboard at the CIF state meet, ranked fourth in the country behind two seniors from Illinois (Dominique Johnson, Huntley) and Pennsylvania (Destini Smith, Souderton Area), and one junior out of Texas (Mia Maxwell of Humble Atascocita). 'Since we were learning it together, I couldn't make mistakes,' AB said of Garcia. 'He didn't really know what a mistake was yet. So it was more just fun to me.' In Clovis, AB made her best long jump, high jump and triple jump only after several hecklers yelled at her on the last day. She was initially mad, then motivated. She faulted on her first long jump attempt because, according to her, she was running extra fast. This wasn't the same AB who'd once hid in her room. She felt normal, yet no less exceptional. The camaraderie AB found alongside those who shared the podium with her provided further assurance that she belonged. Nereyda was proud; her youngest had found her place. In a world increasingly hostile to kids like her daughter, that's all she could ask for. The fact that AB matched her own 'sass' while doing so was a bonus. 'I get a lot of hate comments but I don't care,' AB said. 'A 16-year-old girl with mad attitude, like you think I'm going to care? … As long as it gets me into the modeling industry, I don't care. I'm 5-foot-9. Hit me up. I'll walk for Dior, maybe.' AB is not certain what her future holds. She intends to participate in track and field again next spring. She has heard from colleges with preliminary interest in her as a track and field athlete. She also doesn't know whether the NCAA, which announced in February its readiness to follow Trump's executive order that limits participation in women's athletics to competitors it says were 'assigned female at birth only,' will ultimately let her compete after previously allowing trans athletes to compete. For now, AB is looking forward to life as a 16-year-old. Coloring while watching the final season of 'Stranger Things.' Grooming her goldendoodle, Bear. Summer volleyball practice. Nereyda hopes things return to normal in the coming months. But whatever new challenges arise, nothing can take away from a mother having seen her daughter at her happiest. Sometime after that initial, impromptu heart-to-heart in the dead of night, AB and Nereyda were scheduled to attend a friend's quinceañera. AB walked out wearing a red dress, an unusually wide smile, and a look that longed for her mom's nod of approval. Nereyda knew then that nothing mattered more to her than her daughter. 'If it feels right, you'll know in your heart of hearts, you'll just know that this is right, this is me,' AB said. 'And there's just that sense of relief once it happens… a sense of relief and comfort in knowing who you are and just focusing on that.'
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Pope Leo XIV broke major popemobile rule before his inaugural Mass
On Sunday May 18 thousands gathered in Vatican City's St Peter's Square to attend Leo's historic Sunday Mass service - but as he greeted the crowds he broke one major rule Pope Leo XIV broke a major rule at his inaugural Mass this month as he arrived in his popemobile. On Sunday May 18 thousands gathered in Vatican City's St Peter's Square to attend Leo's historic Sunday Mass service. The newly elected Pope Leo, 69, arrived at around 8.15am and could be seen addressing the crowd from his open-top popemobile. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, made history by becoming the first North American to lead the Catholic Church. He was elected in just over 24 hours by 133 cardinals from 70 countries, swiftly following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this month. Around 200,000 people filled St. Peter's Square to witness Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass. Pilgrims, clergy, cardinals, and world leaders gathered under flags and cameras as the atmosphere surged with anticipation and applause. He rode through the square in an open-back Popemobile, waving to the jubilant crowd. He chose to forgo the bulletproof enclosure that typically shields pontiffs, following the example of Pope Francis. The move broke with standard protocol, a bold decision for a newly elected American pope navigating a volatile global stage. The first 'official' popemobile was a Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 Pullman given to Pope Pius XI in 1930. Its famous nickname came later in the 1970s. The unique vehicle was introduced as a way to interact with followers, but it needed to be adapted for safety reasons following the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981. It was modified to also act as a defence vehicle, reports MailOnline. On May 13 1981 Mehmet Ali Agca, a hitman and former member of Turkish far-right group the Grey Wolves, shot the Pope four times as he was greeting worshippers in St Peter's Square, leaving him seriously injured. After the attack, popemobiles were fitted with bulletproof glass and heavy armour to protect the pontiffs from any further assassination attempts. The late Pope Francis was the first to turn down the security measures when he was elected in 2013, instead opting for a open-top, unlike Pope Benedict who came before him. During the inaugural Mass Pope Leo XIV made a resounding declaration on the Catholic Church's stance regarding gay marriage and abortion, affirming that the Church's concept of family is rooted in a "stable union between a man and a woman". The pontiff welcomed LGBTQ+ Catholics into the fold but reiterated that homosexual acts are considered "intrinsically disordered" within church teachings, maintaining the traditional doctrine that marriage is exclusively the union of a man and a woman. Pope Leo also underscored the importance of respecting the life of the unborn and the elderly, condemning abortion and euthanasia as manifestations of the prevailing "throwaway culture."
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Catholic Churches across Tampa honor Pope Leo during first Sunday masses since election
The Brief Catholic Churches across Tampa honored Pope Leo during the first Sunday masses since the election. At Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, it was even visible outside, in the form of decorations on the doors to represent the Vatican. An official inauguration mass for Pope Leo will be held in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, May 18. TAMPA - As Pope Leo XIV gave his first Sunday blessing to a crowd in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, parishes around the globe and across the Tampa Bay area honored the beginning of his papal ministry in their services as well. At Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, it was even visible outside; in the form of decorations on the doors to represent the Vatican or 'Papal Fun Facts" hanging up in the hallways. What they're saying "We want to celebrate this important moment," stressed Father Len Plazewski. "In my homily, I try to weave together the fact that it's Mother's Day and we also have a Holy Father as well, as well as the Gospel, which is about the Good Shepherd and Jesus being our Good Shepherd, and that this is our new shepherd here, so we want to pray for him." Father Plazewski told FOX 13 he will certainly remember where he was and what he was doing, when the world got word of white smoke. "I was coming on a plane back from Louisville," Father Len laughed. "So I was in the air when the white smoke came and then I was able to land and get to the school in time for the big announcement and the coming out of the balcony and everything." READ: Nations largest single-day food drive returns to Tampa Bay for 33rd year He said that's also been a very special part of this week; seeing reaction through the eyes of young students at Christ the King Catholic School and even having a little fun in the process. "One of the things were, if we guessed his Papal name that he chose, we get ice cream at the end of the week," said student Gianna Gevvia. "We had about 40 kids guess Pope Leo, I didn't even guess it right," Father Len laughed. "But I think it's important for them to see and witness this moment in history, this will probably be a couple decades before we get another pope, and so it's going to make an impression on them. I also think the new pope being American and younger and being active on social media, I think, it makes all those connections." What's next An official inauguration mass for Pope Leo will be held in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, May 18. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Time Business News
10-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Business News
The Ultimate Guide to Women's Church Suits & Dresses
Stepping into a church service is more than a spiritual act—it's a celebration of faith, community, and personal expression. For many women, selecting the perfect church suit or dress is both a joyful ritual and a reflection of reverence. Whether you're a seasoned congregant or new to church traditions, this guide will help you navigate the world of women's church attire with grace and confidence. Church attire has long been a symbol of respect and devotion. Wearing well-chosen garments to service not only honours the sacred space but also reflects one's inner commitment. Selecting appropriate outfits for Sunday Mass involves finding modest and comfortable clothing that aligns with personal style without being flashy or revealing. 1. Modesty Meets Elegance Modesty doesn't mean sacrificing style. Opt for dresses and suits that cover the shoulders and knees, avoiding low necklines and high slits. Fabrics like cotton, silk, and high-quality synthetics offer both comfort and sophistication. 2. Color and Fabric Choices Traditional colors like navy, black, and white are timeless, but don't shy away from pastels or vibrant hues that reflect your personality. Lace, brocade, and embroidered fabrics add texture and interest to your ensemble. 3. Accessorizing with Purpose Hats have a storied place in church fashion, especially within Black communities. As highlighted by Southern Living, church hats serve as a powerful expression of faith and a celebration of fashion, blending cultural heritage with religious practices. Pairing your outfit with a tasteful hat, gloves, or a statement brooch can elevate your look while honouring tradition. 1. Sunday Services For regular services, a well-fitted dress or skirt suit in a modest cut is appropriate. Consider breathable fabrics and subtle patterns for comfort and style. 2. Special Occasions Events like baptisms, weddings, or church anniversaries call for more formal attire. Embellished suits or dresses with coordinating accessories can make a respectful yet festive statement. 3. Seasonal Considerations Lightweight fabrics and lighter colours are ideal for spring and summer, while richer hues and heavier materials suit fall and winter services. Read Also: womensuits coupon Several retailers specialise in women's church clothing, offering a range of styles to suit different preferences and budgets. For instance, Church Suits For Less carries a large inventory of suits and dresses for church and any special occasion, specialising in designer church suits, women's church dresses, and church hats. They offer a wide array of options, from timeless church hats to exquisite women's church suits and dresses, all crafted with church services and events in mind. Read Also: womensuits com coupon Selecting the perfect church suit or dress is a harmonious blend of personal style, cultural tradition, and spiritual reverence. By focusing on modesty, quality, and appropriate accessorising, you can create an ensemble that honours the sanctity of the service while expressing your individuality. Embrace the opportunity to dress with purpose and pride, knowing that your attire reflects both your faith and your unique identity. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
