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Trump Administration Challenges California Policies on Transgender Athletes
The Trump administration has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) regarding a forthcoming postseason track-and-field competition that might include a transgender athlete. This intervention highlights the ongoing national debate surrounding policies on transgender athletes participating in sports.
Details of the Controversy
The athlete, who transitioned from male to female, is a student at Jurupa Valley High School and is scheduled to participate in the high jump, triple jump, and long jump events this weekend.
Department of Education’s Stance
Julie Hartman, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, issued a statement denouncing the CIF’s decision to permit the athlete’s participation. Hartman also raised concerns about reports that the CIF instructed cisgender competitors to remove t-shirts bearing the slogan ‘Protect Girls Sports’.
The Trump administration has initiated a federal Title IX investigation into the CIF, focusing on its policies that allow transgender athletes to compete in high school sports.
‘CIF’s and Jurupa Valley High School’s apparent disregard for federal civil rights law by allowing a male athlete to compete in a female California track and field [Southern Sectional Division 3 Final] this Saturday, and the alleged retaliation against the girls who are protesting this, is indefensible,’ Hartman stated to Fox News Digital.
Prevalence of Transgender Athletes
The exact number of transgender athletes participating in high school sports remains unclear. NCAA president Charlie Baker testified that he knew of fewer than ten trans athletes out of over 510,000 at the college level. The NCAA later implemented a ban on trans athletes competing.
Donald Trump’s Department of Education questioned the California Interscholastic Federation’s decision to allow a trans athlete to compete in girls track and field events this weekend.
Jurupa Unified School District’s Response
In response to Hartman’s statement, the Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD) told Fox, “JUSD continues to follow both California law and CIF policy regarding school athletics.”
“Both state law and CIF policy currently require that students be permitted to participate in athletic teams and competitions consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records.”
“JUSD remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of the students we serve, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.”
CIF’s Position
The CIF has openly opposed the Trump Administration’s executive order to institute a ban on transgender athletes in sports.
Concerns from Christian Schools
Three Christian schools in California – JSerra Catholic, Orange Lutheran, and Crean Lutheran – jointly sent a letter to the CIF last week. The schools, located in Republican congressional districts in Orange County, argued that the CIF’s policy ‘fosters an environment that is increasingly hostile to religious member schools.’
‘CIF’s expectation that all faith-based schools facilitate the CIF Gender Identity Policy puts religious schools in the untenable position of adhering to the tenets of their faith in their classrooms and communities but practicing something contrary to their faith on their athletic fields,’ the letter explained.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has challenged the Trump Administration’s stance on athlete participation.
Competition Dynamics and Apparel Policy
While the transgender athlete in question has won some events against cisgender women, reports indicate that athletes who have voiced opposition to their inclusion have also defeated the athlete in competitions.
The CIF acknowledged that officials requested athletes to remove ‘Protect Girls Sports’ shirts because they did not comply with standard apparel policy.
‘Per the CIF Southern Section Playoff Bulletin, all athletes must be dressed in proper, school issued, track uniforms.
‘The student-athletes were asked to comply with this while in the on-field event area, as they were wearing said shirts over their school-issued uniform,’ the CIF said in a statement.