Latest news with #transgenderathlete
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Teen athlete targeted by Trump's anti-trans attacks: ‘I know how hard I've worked. That's what matters'
AB Hernandez, a 16-year-old track and field athlete from California, had trained for years for this moment. On Saturday, the high school junior from Jurupa Valley, a city east of Los Angeles, won first place in the high jump, first place in the triple jump and silver in the long jump in the state finals. 'Track is everything to me. Track is my little baby,' she told the Guardian on Tuesday. 'It's crazy I can say that I'm a state champion for something I love so much. It's an honor.' The track meet should have drawn little attention outside of the local news that cover high school sports. But the Trump administration, and anti-LGBTQ+ activists from across the country, have turned AB's achievements into an international media spectacle, because she is transgender. Last week, Donald Trump targeted AB in a frenzied social media post, claiming he was 'ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow' her to compete, writing her participation was 'NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS'. AB said she was not letting the attacks distract her or take away her joy: 'I can tune it out pretty well. I don't really care. It's weird when reporters come, and I'm like, I forgot I'm famous now,' she said, with a laugh. 'But for the most part, I'm living a normal life, and then I go on social media and, I'm like, wait, I'm known.' Her mother, Nereyda Hernandez, said she backs her daughter '120%' and has been blown away by the hard work she's put into accomplishing her dreams. 'Years ago, she said, 'In my junior year, I'm going to place first.' How does a child set these goals and actually achieve them? That's amazing and incredible.' Trump's missives came after he has spent the first months of his second term attacking the rights of trans youth to live openly at school, access anti-discrimination protections, participate in activities that match their gender and obtain vital healthcare. On Tuesday, the US justice department claimed in a letter to California school districts that it was 'unconstitutional' to allow trans youth to play sports that align with their gender, and Trump threatened 'large-scale fines'. The president has repeatedly targeted Maine's federal funding over its trans-inclusive sports policies, but the northeast state scored a significant courtroom victory last month that blocked a key part of the administration's efforts. California has for more than a decade allowed trans girls to participate in girls' sports, with little fanfare or pushback and in line with policies in more than 20 other states. But Republicans and anti-LGBTQ+ groups in the US have in recent years made trans youth participation in sports a top policy priority, amid growing global debate about trans athletes in women's sports. The calls for further restrictions in schools target a tiny fraction of the population. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) president said last year he was aware of fewer than ten trans athletes in college across the US, and anti-trans groups have previously acknowledged they could identify even fewer trans youth at the K-12 level. Gavin Newsom, California's Democratic governor, recently drew sharp rebukes from LGBTQ+ rights groups and members of his own party when he said in a podcast that he felt the participation of trans girls in sports was 'deeply unfair'. In the wake of Trump's threats, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), a nonprofit that regulates high school sports, announced a 'pilot' for new rules. In the high jump, triple jump and long jump, the events AB competes in, CIF said cisgender girls who would have qualified for the state championship if they hadn't lost to a trans girl would still advance, and that cis girls would also win the highest medals even if a trans girl beats them. The CIF did not respond to inquiries on Wednesday. Izzy Gardon, a Newsom spokesperson, praised the CIF pilot in an email, saying it was a 'reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness'. While AB has faced escalating backlash and harassment from outside groups, she and her mom said her own school community has consistently supported her. AB said her classmates in Jurupa Valley, a city Trump won by two points, understood that she excelled in track because of the time and energy she dedicated: 'They see how hard I train. I constantly watch [myself] on film, see what I can do better. I probably do 10 times more than any athlete at my school. They see that, and the media doesn't. They have a lot of respect for me and I don't get hate at my own school.' Over the weekend, as temperatures soared above 100F (38C) in Clovis in central California, AB shared her two gold wins and one silver with other girls, who stood alongside her at the podium – and were quick to embrace her. Brooke White, who earned second place in the long jump alongside AB, told the San Francisco Chronicle: 'Sharing the podium was nothing but an honor. Although the publicity she's been receiving has been pretty negative, I believe she deserves publicity because she's a superstar, she's a rock star, she's representing who she is.' Jillene Wetteland, who shared the high-jump first place with AB and another girl, told the paper: 'I love both of the people I tied with.' As they celebrated their wins, some adult protesters heckled and attacked AB on the sidelines. 'I will forever be grateful for these girls,' AB told the Guardian. 'When we were lining up to get our medals, I told them: 'You made my experience perfect. I couldn't have done it without you.' It was amazing to see they stood up for me.' Her mother, who first spoke out in news outlet Capital and Main in April, said she wasn't surprised to see overwhelming support from her daughter's competitors, which, she noted, contradicted the claims of anti-trans groups that the cis girls were victimized by AB's participation: 'The girls have never had an issue with AB. What is put out there is a false narrative that has to do with a political campaign. I tell AB, don't take it personally. They're using you. Don't get distracted by this.' Nereyda Hernandez has acknowledged that she previously supported Trump and said she considers herself non-partisan: 'I wanted to put that out there so people know it doesn't matter what your political views are, you can still be accepting and supportive of your family member.' She said she was raised Catholic and it was a process to understand and accept her daughter: 'But I told AB from day one, 'You're still my baby, so I'm going to support you.' I've been open that it's going to be a little difficult, because it's not what I'm used to, but I said I'm willing to learn and accept. Honestly, it's the best thing I could have done, because I cannot imagine what this child would have went through if I was close-minded and unsupportive.' She said faith and politics should never get in the way of parents supporting their children: 'God gave us these children, what would God want us to do? Protect, support and love our kids. So that's what I'm doing.' The mother and daughter said they were using donated funds to get a letterman jacket marking her victories, and AB said she planned to spend her final high school summer practicing and hanging with friends. She is interested in applying to a prestigious California university and wants to go into nursing. AB's message to other trans youth athletes who might be afraid to compete in this climate? 'You are probably going to be the only person who knows how hard you work. As long as you know you've put in the time, the work, the effort, that's all that matters. Whatever anyone else says, and it might be a large-scale of people, just tune it out.' Her mother works as a legal document assistant and said she was well-versed in her daughter's rights and has been making that clear to anyone who tries to violate their privacy or undermine her achievements. 'They try to use intimidation tactics to push people to quit, but I'm not scared of them. They bark, but we bite,' she said. 'I don't think they realized who they messed with. People say, 'Ooh, they messed with the wrong kid.' But at the same time, they messed with the right one. Because I'm not keeping my mouth shut.'
Fox News
02-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
California girls track star gets disqualified from state championships over celebration
The California state track and field championships were under increased scrutiny because of a transgender athlete who participated in and won the girls' high jump and triple jump events. A separate controversy flew underneath the radar, and it had to do with the varsity girls 400 finals. Sophomore Clara Adams, of North Salinas High School, finished in second place in the prelims and came off the starting line quickly in the finals and ran her way to a first-place finish, or so she thought. Adams celebrated with her father after winning the race. She took a fire extinguisher from her father and sprayed her shoes with it, alluding to her being on fire, the Monterey Herald reported. Clara's father, David, said the celebration was done away from opponents. "She wasn't disrespecting anyone," he told the outlet. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) determined that Adams' celebration was unsportsmanlike, and Adams' state championship was taken away. She was also disqualified from the meet and lost an opportunity to compete in the 200-meter race as well. David Adams told the outlet that the CIF's decision was protested and said he felt like the disqualification was "racially motivated." Clara Adams is Black. The decision was upheld. "It's a very unfortunate event," Alan Green told the Monterey Herald. "We are all heartbroken. Clara ran an incredible 400 race and is the fastest 400-meter girl in the state. "She was trying to have some fun at the finish line after the 400. It was interpreted as unsportsmanlike. What an incredible season and run. It's unfortunate." Clara Adams said afterward she felt like she was "robbed" and was "in shock." Fox News Digital reached out to the CIF for comment. Adams finished in first place in the 400-meter dash at the Central Coast Section Championships and finished first in three races at the Pacific Coast Athletic League Masters Meet last month. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Hero girl's moving podium act after transgender athlete hammered her into second place
A teenage girl made sure she still got her moment to shine after a transgender athlete pushed her into second place at a track meet in California. Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School competed in the CIF Southern Section Finals on Saturday, setting a new PR and record for her school. After the meet, Hogan stood beside competitors from other schools, including AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley - a male-born transgender athlete competing in girls track and field. After they all posed for a picture - with Hernandez standing on the top, first place podium - Hogan 'assumed her rightful spot,' Riley Gaines, a political activist who fights against trans women in female sports, said. 'When the boy got off the podium, she assumed her rightful spot as champion,' Gaines wrote on X alongside a short clip of Hogan beaming as she stood at first place. 'The crowd erupts with applause. THIS is the way. Congrats to Reese Hogan, the REAL champ!!!' Gaines also said Hernandez, who was seen holding up the number one and a medal, is a 'fraud.' Hernandez won against Hogan in the triple jump by just over four feet. The trans athlete also won the long jump title and finished in seventh place for the high jump during the event, Sports Illustrated reported. Hogan 'assumed her rightful spot,' Riley Gaines, a political activist who fights against trans women in female sports, said Hernandez now qualifies for the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet held on May 24 back at Moorpark High. Hernandez currently holds the top marks in long jump in the state, along with triple jump. Just weeks before this moment, Hernandez sparked backlash after winning the triple jump by an astonishing distance. According to official records, won the jump by nearly three feet, while the margin of victory in the long jump came in at a distance of nearly two feet. A week prior, Hernandez won the triple jump at Ontario Relays by eight feet over the runner-up. Hernandez's participation have sparked anger on social media as Jennifer Sey, founder of the organization XX-XY - which vows 'to protect women's sports and spaces' - shared video of the athlete on X and wrote: 'This guy won the girls long jump and triple jump in a CA track meet over the weekend. He won the triple jump by 8ft. He's really crushing it!' Colin Rugg, the co-owner of Trending Politics, also shared footage of Hernandez competing to his 1.7million followers and said: 'Transgender high school track star demolishes the female competition by *8 feet* in the triple jump at a track meet in California. Transgender high school track star demolishes the female competition by *8 feet* in the triple jump at a track meet in California. Wow, what an accomplishment. I'm sure it had nothing to do with being a biological male. AB Hernandez says they plan to win 1st place in the state… — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 2, 2025 'Wow, what an accomplishment. I'm sure it had nothing to do with being a biological male. AB Hernandez says they plan to win 1st place in the state of California for the triple jump.' According to Newsweek, Hernandez also finished third last year in the triple jump behind two seniors at the 2024 track state championship meet. Hernandez has been outspoken about transgender women participating in female sports. In a recent interview with Capital & Main, Hernandez said: 'There's nothing I can do about people's actions, just focus on my own. 'I'm still a child, you're an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person.' In reference to placing first, Hernandez said: 'All I thought was, "I don't think you understand that this puts your idiotic claims to trash. She can't be beat because she's biologically male." Now you have no proof that I can't be beat.' The latest moment involving transgender women in female sports comes as President Donald Trump's bill to ban that from happening fell into the senate earlier this month. Legislation that aimed to bar transgender women and girls nationwide from participating in school athletic competitions designated for female athletes failed to advance in a divided Senate as Democrats stood united against an issue that Republicans leveraged in last year's elections. A test vote on the bill failed to gain the 60 votes needed to advance in the chamber as senators stuck to party lines in a 51-45 vote tally. The bill sought to determine Title IX protections 'based solely on a person´s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.'
