California High School Female Athletes Call for Change in Transgender Sports Policy
Costa Mesa, CA – In a heated meeting on Friday, a coalition of female high school athletes, supported by the California Family Council, delivered a petition signed by 20,074 people advocating for the end of policies that permit transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports. Sophia Lorey, outreach director for the California Family Council, articulated concerns over fairness in competition, claiming the current policies create an uneven playing field.
Among the petitioners was Taylor Starling, a Riverside Unified School District athlete who recently took legal action after being demoted from the varsity cross-country team, allegedly due to a transgender athlete taking her position. "Girls like me are being told to smile, sit down and give up what we’ve worked so hard for," Starling expressed, emphasizing that the essence of girls’ sports is rooted in fairness and equal opportunity.
The rally and petition were timed with a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) meeting, where recent changes to rules affecting track and field championships raised further concerns. A new policy allowed an additional female participant to compete and medal in events previously qualified by transgender athlete AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley High School.
Lorelley voiced strong objections, stating, "When girls are forced to share the starting line, the locker room or the podium with males, that’s not inclusion. It’s injustice, and California girls are paying the price." In response, CIF maintains its commitment to providing opportunities for all students, emphasizing compliance with legal mandates despite challenging circumstances.
As the debate intensifies, it continues to capture the attention of athletes, families, and organizations alike, posing critical questions about inclusivity, fairness, and the future of women’s sports in California.
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