A trans teen athlete won 2 gold medals at a California track event. Afterwards, angry parents berated her mother with transphobic attacks. AB Hernandez, who is 16 came first in women’s long jump and triple jump at the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet in California. The talented trans athlete also finished fourth in the high jump. Her performance cemented her spot in the upcoming finals.
She nearly qualified in a third event and missed a championship spot by a single position. While her success was a personal triumph, celebrations were short-lived as angry parents berated her and her mother. Her dominant performance in the event drew immediate and intense backlash from some parents of the other competitors.
A Mother Confronted by ‘Furious’ Parents
The celebration of Hernandez’s victory was quickly extinguished. A crowd of angry parents cornered Hernandez’s mother and began hurling insults. They gathered near the track after the events around Hernandez’s mother to berate her. The angry parents contested Hernandez’s participation, saying trans girls should not be competing with their daughters. They argued it was unfair to their daughters. The harrowing incident was captured on video and quickly went viral on the social media app, Tik Tok.
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‘Coward’ Chants Go Viral
The video of the confrontation spread rapidly. It quickly became a viral sensation on TikTok. The video shows them hounding her. “What a coward of a woman you are allowing that” can be heard from one of the parents directly belittling Hernandez’s mom. Another parent in the video can be heard shouting: “Your mental illness is on your son, coward.”
A History of Protest at the Podium
This is not the first time Hernandez’s faced public transphobia. Her story had previously hit headlines for an incident at a separate contest. After beating out the competition, she placed first. She waited for Hernandez to leave the podium. Then, she moved into the first-place spot to take photos. In 2020, more than 50% of US states have placed bans on trans youth athletes participating in sports.
‘I’m Still a Child’: Hernandez Responds
Amid the turmoil, AB Hernandez has spoken out. She addressed the behavior of the adults protesting her. “I’m still a child,” she stated in an interview. “You’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person.” They highlighted her maturity against their public anger. She focuses on her own actions and performance.
The young trans athlete also shared her dedication. She described her intense training regimen. “I’ve trained so hard,” she explained. “I mean, hours of conditioning every day, five days a week.” This work began long before the season. “Every day since November, three hours after school. And then all of summer, no summer break for me.” Her commitment to her sport is undeniable despite facing such degrading behavior and attitude towards her.
A Mother Defends Her Daughter’s ‘Immense Bravery’
The mother of AB Hernandez has also responded publicly. She used social media to defend her daughter. She applauded her daughter’s courage to compete. “It takes immense bravery to show up, compete, and be visible,” she wrote. Hernandez’s mother stated that the world often debates her daughter’s “very right to exist,” let alone participate in sports events.
She also condemned the severe harassment they face. Hernandez’s mother said people have “doxed, harassed and violated my daughter AB’s privacy.” She argued that these actions have consequences. They have created a “hostile and unsafe environment for a minor.”
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From Local Meet to National Political Battle
This localized high school issue exploded into national news when it captured the attention of President Donald Trump. Trump threatened to punish California over letting Hernandez compete in sports by withholding federal funding from the state. His statement was posted on his Truth Social platform. “Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to.”
Trump’s post was a direct warning. It referenced a previous executive order. The order was titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” His intervention stands in contrast to state policy. California state law explicitly allows trans women and girls to compete in women’s sports.
Sports Federation Alters Rules Amid Backlash
The ongoing controversy prompted an official response. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) acted. The governing body changed its rules. The change was a direct result of Hernandez’s successes. The CIF created a new pilot program.
The new rule targets “biological female” student athletes. It applies to those who would have qualified without a trans contestant in the event. They will now be allowed to compete in the finals. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office reviewed the proposal. The office called the new pilot program “reasonable.” This program not only undermines the miniscule rights trans people have but revokes them and promotes transphobia.
Harassment and Heckling
AB Hernandez now requires protection to compete safely. She has faced hecklers and protesters in the crowd. As a result, she is now accompanied by security. Campus security and Sheriff’s Department deputies escort her at events. These measures are necessary due to the intensity of the harassment.
Other athletes have noticed the aggressive atmosphere. “Girls were just shocked that people would actually come to do that, and really bully a child,” Hernandez said. This demonstrates the severe issues and bigotry trans people face globally and most particularly in America. Even a trans teenager, who simply wants to participate in sports faces life-threatening violence and prejudice for their mere existence.
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