California Faces Backlash Over Trans Athletes Policy Amid Trump's Education Agenda
California continues to defy President Trump's executive order banning transgender athletes in girls' sports. A playoff game featuring a trans athlete raises tensions as legislators propose bills to counter this inclusion.
OutKick host Riley Gaines and former NCAA swimmer Kaitlynn Wheeler are reacting to the pushback against President Donald Trump's education agenda as Linda McMahon prepares to testify in her Senate confirmation hearing.
California is continuing to defy Trump's recent executive order that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports. The consequences of this decision will be evident in an upcoming high school girls' basketball playoff game where an openly transgender athlete will play for San Francisco Waldorf against Cornerstone Christian on Saturday. This athlete had previously played for Waldorf's girls' volleyball team, leading to Stone Ridge Christian forfeiting a playoff match last fall.
However, Cornerstone Christian intends to go through with the upcoming game. Athletic director Madison Alexander expressed support for the girls, stating, "As long as the parents are on board with playing the game, we will support the girls' hard work this season and play the game."
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is under investigation by Trump's Department of Education (DOE) and Office of Civil Rights (OCR) for its non-compliance with federal guidelines regarding transgender athletes. Deputy General Counsel Candice Jackson mentioned that the department would be monitoring the state’s girls' basketball playoffs during the investigation.
CIF is responsible for adhering to Title IX regulations as a recipient of federal funds, and its ongoing disregard for these regulations has raised concerns. A statement from CIF emphasized that it will adhere to California law, which has permitted students to compete on teams that correspond with their gender identity since 2014.
A law known as AB 1266 supports California students' rights in this regard. In light of ongoing controversies, California lawmakers recently introduced three bills aimed at restricting transgender inclusion in sports. Assemblymember Bill Essayli's bill specifically addresses school sports, mandating participation based on biological sex.
Assembly member Kate Sanchez has also proposed a bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports.
The issue has sparked various controversies across California, including lawsuits by parents whose daughters have lost spots to transgender athletes. In San Diego, a middle school has faced backlash for allowing a transgender student access to the girls’ locker room, citing compliance with state law.
San Francisco Waldorf previously made headlines when Stone Ridge Christian forfeited their playoff match. Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines honored Stone Ridge Christian for their decision to forfeit.
Trump's executive order threatens to cut federal funding to institutions that allow transgender athletes to compete against girls, which could significantly impact California's public school funding, totaling around USD 16.8 billion annually.
