Protesters gathered outside Veterans Memorial Stadium before gates opened Friday, alongside an anti-trans athlete press conference that included several Valley Republican leaders.
"Once again, a male athlete is expected to take a top spot in three girls' events," Sofia Lori said.
The pushback centers largely on Jurupa Valley senior AB Hernandez, who qualified for three events for the second consecutive year.
At the press conference, Clovis Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pierce called for federal intervention. "I call on President Trump to lower the boom on these losers who have failed our girls," she said.
Also in attendance was Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, who returned to Clovis for the second year in a row to protest outside the championships.
"We will act to protect common sense that the vast majority of Californians know this is not right, it's not fair," Hilton said.
Some critics used pointed language about transgender athletes during the event. "No matter how much this young boy puts on makeup, puts on nail polish, wears his hair long and pretends to be a girl, he's always going to be a boy," said Fresno County Supervisor Gary Bredefeld.
Others pushed back against the rhetoric and the protests. Trevor Norcross of the GALA Pride and Diversity Center said the controversy extends beyond sports.
"What's clear this is not about sports in fairness. These individuals don't believe transgender people exist," Norcross said.
Norcross, whose daughter is a transgender athlete, said the demonstrations create fear for families like his.
"These kids that are in these situations are the bravest kids out there to have AB, to have the president of the United States calling her out," Norcross said. "Our voices as parents and families are not heard because of the inflammatory rhetoric that is used from the other side."
For the second year in a row, the California Interscholastic Federation has implemented a rule allowing an extra competitor to earn a medal in events where a transgender athlete places. The policy has drawn criticism from both supporters and opponents.
"Let's be honest about what that means. That is a complete admission that CIF knows this is wrong," Lori said.
Norcross, however, said the rule diminishes transgender athletes' recognition. "AB Hernandez is competing as a ghost in these championships. She is not a full-fledged athlete in these championships. If she wins, she will not be recognized as the single winner," he said.
As competition gets underway, Hernandez could once again share a podium finish.
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