Trans-identifying male honored for stealing medals from women

A California city council recently honored AB Hernandez, a transgender-identifying male athlete who won multiple state titles in girls’ track and field in May.

California Sen. Sabrina Cervantes attended the ceremony in Jurupa Valley, east of Los Angeles, to present Hernandez with a certificate on behalf of the California State Senate.

“We just want to take a moment this evening to recognize AB Hernandez for their grit, their passion, and their dedication to the sport,” Cervantes said.

“We have two certificates of recognition on behalf of the California State Senate for your CIF championship,” she added. “I am just so proud to know that you continue to prevail despite all the noise out there and you’re focused on your goals, your dreams, and your aspirations. We know how difficult it is to be an athlete at that level. Your dedication and passion is an inspiration to so many. We congratulate you on behalf of the California State Senate.”

The City Council also lauded Hernandez’s wins, with one councilor saying, “your perseverance and dedication are a testament to your motivation to succeed. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment.”

The body offered Hernandez the opportunity to comment on the award, but he declined.

Not everyone is a fan of Hernandez’s success in taking over girls’ sports.

Sophia Lorey, a former soccer player who now works for the California Family Council, has called on the CIF to protect female sports.

“CIF, we warned you. Title IX is law. GIRLS lost spots, safety, & locker room privacy to MALES. Now they’re speaking out! The U.S. Dept. of Ed is speaking out. The entire nation is watching,” she posted in June on X.

“Stealing opportunities from women is now ‘progress,’” she wrote in reaction to the city council ceremony.

Lorey also spoke out at the track championships, where state lawmakers changed a rule so that any female who lost to a male competitor would receive the same medal as the male athlete. This meant Hernandez shared the top of the podium with the best placing female.

The recognition and the rule change come amid ongoing debate over transgender-identifying males in women’s sports. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” His administration has threatened to pull federal funds from states that refuse to comply.

California received notice of being in violation of Title IX in June, but is fighting the Trump administration’s order to protect women’s athletics and restore lost medals to female competitors.

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing CIF and the California Department of Education because their policies “eviscerate equal athletic opportunities for girls.”

“They also require girls to share intimate spaces, such as locker rooms, with boys, causing a hostile educational environment that denies girls educational opportunities,” the lawsuit says.

(Media image credit: Screenshot / X)