California Track Meet Becomes Focal Point in Trans Athlete Debate

A high school girls track meet in California devolved into a politically charged event on Saturday, intensifying the ongoing controversy surrounding a transgender athlete’s dominance in jumping events this season. The uproar follows a letter penned by three prominent Christian high schools to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), challenging its policy that allows biological males to participate in girls’ sports.

JSerra Catholic High School, Orange Lutheran High School, and Crean Lutheran High School collectively voiced their concerns to the CIF on Thursday, specifically referencing the trans athlete scheduled to compete in Saturday’s state semifinal prelims.

The schools’ letter highlighted the potential disadvantages faced by female athletes under the CIF’s Gender Identity Policy, arguing it creates an "unlevel playing field" and leads to "lost opportunities." They emphasized the immediate impact of the policy, as star female athletes from their schools were set to compete against a male athlete identifying as female in multiple track and field events during the weekend’s semi-final competitions.

Beyond competitive fairness, the letter asserted that the CIF’s policy creates a hostile environment for religious member schools. It argued that requiring faith-based institutions to adhere to the CIF Gender Identity Policy forces them into a conflict between their religious beliefs and their athletic practices. The schools suggested that some of their female athletes were even contemplating abstaining from competition against the trans athlete in the Saturday prelims.

In a move to amplify their concerns, a press conference was organized by Sophia Lorey, outreach director for the California Family Council, prior to Saturday’s meet at Yorba Linda High School. The event featured speeches from several girls athletes, parents, and school officials.

Olivia Viola, representing Crean Lutheran, articulated the frustration felt by many female athletes. "No matter how hard we train, how many hours we put in, reality will always set in that men and women are different," she stated. "To me, this just doesn’t seem fair. CIF is doing nothing to protect us female athletes."

The CIF’s policies are currently under scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Education, with potential Title IX violations being investigated. This federal inquiry adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious issue.

California’s stance on trans athletes dates back to President Donald Trump’s "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports" executive order, which the state openly defied. The CIF has defended its position by citing California law [Education Code section 221.5. (f)], which mandates that students be allowed to participate in school programs and activities, including athletics, in accordance with their gender identity, regardless of the gender listed on their official records. The CIF has stated that it aims to provide students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete in education-based experiences while adhering to state law.

Even California Governor Gavin Newsom, a proponent of inclusivity, has acknowledged the potential unfairness of trans athletes competing with girls, describing it as "deeply unfair" during an episode of his podcast. However, he has justified the policies that enable it on the grounds of empathy for the trans community.

Numerous controversies have erupted in California over the past year regarding trans athletes, with various individuals and schools taking stands against the state’s inclusion policies.

In late April, the Redlands Unified school board in San Bernardino County voted to adopt a new policy that would restrict transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. This decision underscores the growing opposition to the state’s current regulations.

A recent bipartisan survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California revealed that a majority of California residents oppose biological male trans athletes competing in women’s sports. The poll indicated that over 70% of the state’s school parents share this view.

The survey also found that most Californians support requiring transgender athletes to compete on teams matching the sex they were assigned at birth. Specifically, 65% of adults and 64% of likely voters favored this requirement. An overwhelming majority of public school parents, 71%, expressed their support for such a rule.

The situation in California reflects a broader national debate about the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. While advocates for transgender rights emphasize the importance of inclusivity and fairness for all individuals, opponents raise concerns about competitive balance and the potential displacement of female athletes. The issue is likely to remain a subject of intense discussion and legal challenges in the coming years as society grapples with evolving understandings of gender identity and equality. The California track meet serves as a microcosm of this national struggle, highlighting the complex and often conflicting values at stake.