California Finally Alters Policy Allowing Biological Men to Compete in Women’s Sports Following Threats of Funding Cuts

In a surprise move altering their policy allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced Tuesday that they will now allow girls to compete, who would have otherwise qualified for a state track and field state championship if a trans man previously “won.” Transgender students will also now be scored in a different category separate from girls and boys, meaning that they can still compete, but not against the male group or female group. This new policy will take effect immediately, starting with the state meet this Friday and Saturday in Clovis.

“Under this pilot entry process, any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark for one of their Section’s automatic qualifying entries in the CIF State meet, and did not achieve the CIF State at-large mark in the finals at their Section meet, was extended an opportunity to participate in the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships,” said the CIF in a statement. “The CIF believes this pilot entry process achieves the participation opportunities we seek to afford our student-athletes.”

Only hours before the CIF announcement, President Donald Trump threatened to cut California’s funding over illegally allowing men to play women’s sports, as the Globe reported. Specifically, Trump cited the recent decision to allow AB Hernandez, a transgender Jurupa Valley High School athlete in Riverside County, to compete in women’s track and field. This wound up qualifying them for the state track and field championship in triple jump and long jump, as well as winning regional CIF titles. Their qualification led to the displacement of several female athletes who would have otherwise qualified.

Parents, led by Sonja Shaw, the president of the Chino Valley Unified School District, sent a letter to Trump to intervene following Hernandez’s wins earlier this month. This led to Trump’s threat to cut funding this week.

“This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won “everything,” and is now qualified to compete in the “State Finals” next weekend,” said Trump in his Truth Social post early on Tuesday. “As a Male, he was a less than average competitor. As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. 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. The Governor, himself, said it is “UNFAIR.” I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals.”

Changes in policy

With state funding on the line, CIF swiftly altered the rules on Tuesday to avoid any potential funding cuts. Governor Gavin Newsom, who is one of President Trump’s main critics yet also has said that it is unfair for transgender athletes to compete against women, approved of CIF’s policy change following their announcement.

“CIF’s proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness,” said Newsom spokeswoman Izzy Gardon. “The Governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach.”

However, transgender groups swiftly denounced the decision on Tuesday.

Activists supporting women pushed for a total ban on transgender athletes from events saying that the ban didn’t go far enough. The latter included former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who competed against transgender men in women’s events while in college.

“This is not an adequate response from CIF following Trump’s threat to pull funds from CA. Boys would still be competing against girls,” expressed Gaines. “CIF is fully admitting girls are being pushed out of their sports by boys. They just think the boys’ feelings matter more.”

As of Tuesday, the decision by CIF appears to have at least temporarily halted funding while a more long-term solution is being considered.