- July 1, 2026
- Updated 1:35 am
Clash Occurs at California Track Meet Over Trans Athlete Participation
At a California championship track meet, tensions flared between “Save Girls Sports” supporters and pro-LGBTQ advocates. The event involved a trans athlete, AB Hernandez, and led to a strong police presence.
The incident occurred outside the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state championship in Clovis. Local LGBTQ advocacy groups, Pride at the Pier and Rainbow Families Action, held a press conference there. They gathered to support Hernandez, who was set to compete in three girls’ jumping events.
Speakers at the press conference included Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, and other LGBTQ activists voicing support for the athlete.
I just wanted to share my signs… and just talk about how not only is this unfair to the girls competing in sports, but it’s also unfair to the athlete, to AB Hernandez, to lie to him about his biological reality,said Beth Bourne.
Later, “Save Girls Sports” activists arrived, sparking a heated verbal exchange. Police officers were present, monitoring the situation from police vehicles parked nearby. Ultimately, the confrontation subsided without police needing to intervene directly.
The Clovis Police Department, when approached, chose not to provide comments to Fox News Digital. The ongoing debate centers around the fairness and inclusivity of trans athletes like Hernandez in sports competitions.
Prominent activist Beth Bourne led the counterprotest. She spoke out against the participation of trans athletes in girls’ sports, citing concerns of unfairness.
Conversely, pro-LGBTQ activist Daisy Gardner responded to Bourne’s comments, expressing a hope that she could learn and grow from the experience.
The current CIF state finals face controversy due to Hernandez’s participation, echoing last year’s events. In a similar scenario, protests occurred, resulting in an activist’s arrest for alleged assault with a trans pride flag.
Jackson Thompson, a sports reporter for Fox News Digital, covers crucial political and cultural sports issues with an investigative approach. His work contributes to discussions on Title IX enforcement and is referenced by major media outlets.