**California School Board Votes to Ban Trans Athletes from Girls’ Sports**
A school board in California has taken a significant step by voting to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, defying state policy. The Kern County Board of Education approved a resolution that aligns with the federal definition of Title IX, marking a notable stance amid ongoing legal disputes between the state and the Trump administration regarding the participation of transgender individuals in women’s sports.
This decision comes in the wake of President Trump’s executive order issued in February, which aimed to prohibit males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports nationwide. California, however, was among the first states to openly reject this directive, allowing transgender athletes to compete in various high school sports, including basketball, cross-country, and track and field, under state laws that have supported trans inclusion since 2014.
The controversy intensified during the spring high school track and field postseason when transgender athlete AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley High School competed for two girls’ state titles. In response, three prominent Christian high schools in California sent a letter to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), challenging its policy that permits biological males to compete in girls’ sports. This letter highlighted concerns that the CIF’s Gender Identity Policy creates a hostile environment for religious schools, forcing them to choose between their faith and compliance with state regulations.
The Kern County Board of Education’s resolution makes it the first public school board to oppose state policy and align with Trump’s stance on this issue. Similarly, in Maine, two public school boards passed resolutions in April to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports, reflecting a growing trend in various states.
The Trump administration’s Department of Justice is currently pursuing legal action against both California and Maine, seeking injunctions against policies that allow males to compete in girls’ sports and access girls’ locker rooms. The administration argues that California’s policies undermine equal athletic opportunities for girls and create a hostile educational environment.
As the debate continues, the implications of these policies on student athletes and educational institutions remain a focal point of discussion.
**FAQ**
**Q: What is the current status of transgender athletes in California schools?**
A: The Kern County Board of Education has voted to ban transgender athletes from girls’ sports, defying state policy and aligning with federal definitions under Title IX. This decision is part of a broader legal dispute involving the Trump administration and state authorities.
