Valley lawmaker offers proposal for transgender athletes ahead of track meet in Clovis
Demonstrators are expected to protest at the championship this Friday. Action News has learned there will be increased security.
CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Federal funding could be on the chopping block as a transgender athlete takes to the field in Clovis later this week.
With the state also on the brink of a federal investigation over transgender athletes, Republican Assemblyman David Tangipa is offering a path forward.
RELATED: Department of Justice investigating California for allowing transgender athlete in women's sports
"If we created an open division that everyone gets to compete here, but we still come into compliance with Title IX, I think that's an actual possible part of the solution," said Tangipa.
Part of Tangipa's district, just days away from becoming the center of a national debate.
State athletic organizers are allowing transgender athlete AB Hernandez to participate in girls' track and field at the state championship in Clovis.
President Trump has called it "not fair" and "demeaning."
His Department of Justice is weighing in.
RELATED: Trump threatens to withhold federal funding to California over transgender athlete
"Federal law is that girls are to have their own segregated sports in schools that are specifically federally funded," said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.
Essayli is now threatening federal action.
"We're going to get involved in pending litigation and cases, and we're going to initiate our own investigations and potentially file our own civil rights cases where appropriate," said Essayli.
Amid growing pressure, sports regulators have unveiled a podium-sharing agreement.
The California Interscholastic Federation will award multiple medals in the events where a transgender athlete competes.
"That doesn't mean we are supposed to change the rules and laws to fit somebody else's individual ideology when we have to look at the grand scheme of things. Girls are girls. Boys are boys," said Tangipa.
Just months ago, Gov. Newsom called it "deeply unfair" for transgender athletes to participate in girls' sports.
RELATED: Newsom draws heavy criticism after saying transgender athletes in women's sports is 'deeply unfair'
But on Wednesday, his office branded the rules as "reasonable" and "respectful."
Tangipa feels it's a moving goal post.
"The athletes just need consistency. They need rules. They need foundations before the season starts for them to perform at the best level," Tangipa said.
Demonstrators are expected to protest at the championship this Friday.
Action News has now learned there will be increased security.
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