The mother of AB Hernandez, an athlete who is set to compete in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track and Field championships Friday and Saturday, is calling out President Donald Trump and others who are criticizing her daughter for being allowed to compete in girls sports.
“As a mother, my heart breaks every time I see my child being attacked, not for a wrongdoing, but simply for being who they are,” Nereyda Hernandez’s statement reads. “My child is a transgender student-athlete, a hardworking, disciplined, and passionate young person who just wants to play sports, continue to build friendships, and grow into their fullest potential like any other child.”
“My child has competed fairly, in full compliance with California law and athletic policy,” the statement continues. “This is her third year in sports, and she already holds THIRD PLACE IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA in the Triple Jump Category. It is not until recently that she has faced an onslaught of hatred, lies, and harassment. It is most heartbreaking that it is not her fellow competitors the ones attacking her. “
“In fact, many of them have shown respect and sportsmanship. The hostility is coming from adults, grown men and women who have been influenced by a failed teacher and an uneducated politician,” the statement continues. “Some even in positions of power, who should be protectors of our youth, not predators of their peace.”
At a press conference Thursday, Fresno County Supervisor Gary Bredefeld said, “Transgenderism is not something to be celebrated but psychologically treated by mental health professionals. These are disturbed folks and the charade has gone on for too long.”
Clovis Mayor Pro Tem, where the track championship will take place, also voiced her opposition to Hernandez competing and called out the CIF for changing its policy to allow transgender athletes to compete while not displacing other biologically female athletes.
“Today, I call on CIF to do the right thing. Updates one and two were not enough, but the third time can be the charm,” said Clovis Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce. “CIF still has a chance to make it right by removing biological males from girls’ sports.”
Hernandez’s mother in her statement said the “continued harassment” of her child is “not just cruel, it’s dangerous.”
“It sets a precedent that says it is acceptable to target and bully a child if they’re different,” the statement reads. She went on to call out Trump directly:
That is not the America I believe in. Our children deserve safety, support, and the freedom to thrive. They deserve to be seen as human beings, not headlines or talking points. President Trump, I invite you to set aside your Bible and your politics. This is not in rejection of faith or policy, but in recognition that neither should be used as weapons of harm.
I respectfully request you to open your heart and mind to learn about the LGBTQ+ community, not from the voices of fear or division, but from the people living these lives with courage, love, and dignity. As a leader of this country, you have the power to unite, to educate, and to uplift rather than destroy.
Hate has no place in leadership and NO child, ESPECIALLY not MINE, should become the target of a national campaign of cruelty just because they are different. We need a president who protects ALL children, not just the ones that fit a political narrative.
We must choose unity over division, love over hate, and humanity over politics. My child is not a threat; SHE IS LIGHT!!! As AB’s mother, I will continue to stand by her, proudly, fiercely, and unconditionally.
The CIF Track and Field championship kicks off Friday afternoon and Hernandez is set to compete on Friday and Saturday.
People from both sides of the issue are expected to attend the event this weekend and make their voices heard.
The event will take place at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium, a facility rented by CIF from the Clovis Unified School District (CUSD).
From Executive Director Kathie Moehlig, TransFamily Support Service:
“This week, we witnessed yet another escalation in anti-trans rhetoric. A transgender student-athlete, who has done nothing but compete with integrity, has become the target of national scrutiny—and that scrutiny has been paired with threats from the highest levels of government that directly affect the youth in question.
“This moment goes beyond sports. It reflects a concerning pattern of singling out a vulnerable community under the guise of protection. At a time when Americans are facing immediate, urgent challenges in their day-to-day lives, it is alarming to see national attention directed toward vilifying a small number of youth who are simply participating in sports as their authentic selves.
“We believe in fairness. Fairness means supporting all youth—including trans youth. It means creating opportunities, not eliminating them. And it means ensuring that every student who works hard, shows up, and competes has a place to do so safely and proudly.
“Now is a time to reaffirm values of equity and inclusion—not to waver in the face of political intimidation. As CIF continues its process of reviewing and revising its policies, we hope it continues to uphold values of fairness while standing against anti-trans hate. It’s important to remember who is impacted most by these decisions. Not those in positions of power, not people across the country who need government assistance and support, but youth who are simply trying to live, grow, and participate like their peers.
“It’s also important to recognize that the attacks trans people are facing across the country—from healthcare to bathrooms to sports—are not isolated issues. They are part of a broader effort to push trans people out of public life. We reject that future.
“To every trans young person watching this unfold: We see you. We hear you. You deserve better. No matter what policies shift, we will keep showing up. We will not turn our backs on you. And we will keep fighting for the future you deserve.”
From Kristi Hirst – Chief Operating Officer of Our Schools USA:
“After concerns were raised that the presence of transgender athletes in interscholastic competition removed opportunities, CIF announced policy changes to address these concerns. Now, just days after CIF changed its rules, these same DC politicians and paid political actors are changing the goal posts, demanding California transgender students not just be separated, but be forcibly removed from CIF events entirely.
“All students deserve the opportunity to play sports and compete safely and fairly with their peers. CIF policy supports all athletes and addresses expressed concerns. The fact that these same political players continue to bully and harass one child, even after CIF changed its policy, shows this was never about sports or fairness.
“It was simply about using a child, while compromising their personal safety on a national scale, to score political points and distract from the serious issues families and communities in this country are actually concerned about– affording groceries, the loss of health care, and access to quality teachers and resources in their public schools.”
