Supreme Court prepares to rule on transgender teen athletes

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a landmark decision that could determine whether states may prohibit transgender students from participating in girls' and women's sports, a ruling that could affect athletes across the country.

The issue drew significant attention in the Central Valley last month when transgender athlete AB Hernandez competed in the CIF State Track and Field Championships in Clovis, sparking days of demonstrations and public debate.

"I guess you never really decide to be a trans athlete, you just go out to play a sport," Hernandez said during the San Francisco Pride Human Rights Summit.

The high court is considering challenges brought by two transgender student-athletes, one from Idaho and one from West Virginia. The students argue that laws in their states barring transgender athletes from competing in girls' sports constitute sex discrimination in violation of Title IX and the 14th Amendment.

Lower courts previously blocked enforcement of those laws. The Supreme Court is now weighing whether those rulings should stand.

The decision could affect more than 120,000 transgender teen athletes nationwide.

The issue remains particularly relevant in California, where student-athletes are allowed to compete based on the gender with which they identify.

Under California Interscholastic Federation policy, transgender athletes who place at state championships receive medals but do not displace cisgender girls in final standings.

Hernandez's mother, Nereyda, addressed the scrutiny surrounding her daughter's participation in sports at the summit, saying the current system still treats her differently from other competitors.

"She's physically there, but she's kind of invisible, because her points don't count," she said.

The pending Supreme Court decision has also drawn attention from local elected officials.

"It's just common sense. I hope the Supreme Court does the right thing, doesn't cave to the pressure from the transgender movement, and does what's right by all girls, all women in sports," Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld said.

29 states have enacted laws restricting transgender athletes from competing in girls' or women's sports. Bredefeld said he would support a similar measure in California.

"I want to see women and girls protected from boys or men dressed as women, being in their locker rooms or competing against them in sports," he said.

The Supreme Court's decision is expected to establish a nationwide precedent on the issue and could shape future policies for school athletics nationwide.

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