News Summary
A rally in Costa Mesa, California, brought together advocates seeking to ban transgender females from competing in girls’ sports. Organized by a Christian group, the event featured a petition signed by nearly 20,000 residents urging the CIF to repeal a bylaw allowing participation based on gender identity. Notable educational leaders attended, while the CIF reiterated their commitment to California law. The debate has gained momentum amidst legal challenges and mixed community sentiments regarding fairness in competition for female athletes.
Costa Mesa, California – A rally held outside the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) executive meeting on Friday brought together approximately three dozen participants who are calling for a ban on transgender females from competing in girls’ sports. The event highlighted the escalating debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in female sports categories, an issue that has garnered significant attention in California and beyond.
The rally was organized by a Christian advocacy group, with key organizer Sophia Lorey delivering a petition to the CIF board that was signed by nearly 20,000 Californians. The petition urges the CIF to repeal a bylaw that allows students to participate in sports activities aligned with their gender identity. Lorey articulated the group’s position, advocating for fairness in sports and expressing concern for what they perceive as an imbalance in competition.
Notably, there was no discussion of the controversial bylaw on the CIF executive board’s agenda during the meeting. Among those present were educational leaders, including Santa Ana Unified Trustee Brenda Lebsack, Placentia-Yorba Linda Trustee Leandra Blades, and Chino Valley Unified board President Sonja Shaw. Lebsack has faced criticism from colleagues following her outspoken beliefs, while her school district’s board majority has opposed measures that would restrict women’s sports to biological female athletes. In contrast, the Chino Valley school board has passed a resolution supporting such restrictions.
Concerns about competition fairness and the logistics of sharing facilities like locker rooms with transgender peers have been raised by various high school athletes and their parents. CIF spokesperson Rebecca Brutlag reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to complying with California law, which permits students to compete in accordance with their gender identity.
The fervor surrounding this issue intensified following the participation of transgender athlete AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley High at the CIF state track championships. Hernandez’s involvement prompted response from high-profile figures, including former President Donald Trump, who threatened to cut federal funding if Hernandez was permitted to compete. Following these remarks, CIF adjusted its rules to allow for additional cisgender female competitors in events where Hernandez participated. Hernandez’s performance included sharing first place in the triple jump and high jump and securing second place in the long jump.
The issue of transgender inclusion in sports has been further complicated by legal actions, such as a lawsuit filed by female athlete Taylor Starling against the Riverside Unified School District. Starling claims she was demoted from the varsity cross-country team due to a transgender athlete’s participation, expressing concerns that the integrity of girls’ sports is compromised. This lawsuit is among several cases that point to mounting tensions and differing perspectives on the topic.
The California Family Council, which organized the rally, contends that policies permitting transgender athletes in girls’ sports disregard biological realities. They point out that a survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California found a majority of residents in the state oppose allowing biological male trans athletes to compete in women’s sports. This sentiment has extended to political figures, including Governor Gavin Newsom, who has previously stated that the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports is “deeply unfair.”
The controversy has also caught the attention of federal authorities, with a Department of Justice letter indicating that an investigation is underway regarding California’s policies concerning transgender athletes and potential violations of Title IX. This federal inquiry reflects broader national conversations on the rights of transgender athletes and the quest for equity in sports.
With a growing chorus of voices advocating for and against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, the CIF executive meeting and the subsequent rally underline the complexities and passionate debates surrounding this critical issue.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Rally in Costa Mesa Demands Ban on Transgender Females in Sports
Additional Resources
- OC Register
- Wikipedia: Transgender Sports
- Fox News
- Google Search: Transgender Athletes in Sports
- CBS News
- Google Scholar: Transgender Athletes Legal Issues
- Press Enterprise
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transgender Athletes
- Daily Bulletin
- Google News: Transgender Athletes
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
