Eight California girls’ volleyball teams have taken the unusual step of forfeiting matches rather than compete against Jurupa Valley High School.
The reason? A transgender athlete named AB Hernandez, born male but competing on the girls’ team, has become the center of a growing national debate about fairness in women’s sports.
According to reporting from Outkick, Hernandez’s performance drew loud complaints from spectators who saw what they believed was an obvious advantage in strength and power. One of the forfeiting schools, Patriot High, said its players didn’t feel they had a fair or safe chance on the court.
NEW: Jurupa Valley High School girls volleyball team is desperately trying to find opponents as Patriot High School becomes the *8th* school to refuse to play against their transgender star.
Girls’ teams are refusing to play against trans player AB Hernandez.
According to… pic.twitter.com/VP7r9DU2Ki
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 25, 2025
A Lawsuit That Raises the Stakes
The controversy grew even larger when three of Hernandez’s current and former teammates filed a lawsuit. Their claims go beyond unfair competition.
They allege unwanted touching during practices and games. The suit targets the Jurupa Unified School District, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), and even the state’s Department of Education.
Attorney Robert Tyler of Advocates for Faith and Freedom, representing the girls, argued that Title IX is being turned on its head.
California Law vs. Federal Pushback
California’s policy comes from AB 1266, a 2013 law that lets students pick sports and facilities based on gender identity. That’s why Hernandez can legally compete on the girls’ team.
But federal policy is moving in a different direction. President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14168 directs schools receiving federal funds to recognize only biological sex at birth in sports and single-sex spaces.
Supporters say this restores fairness and protects women’s opportunities. Opponents, mostly on the left, call it discriminatory.
Why Conservatives Are Pushing Back
For conservatives, the Hernandez case is about protecting women’s sports. Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who competed against transgender athletes, has said, “This is not about hate. It’s about fairness.”
She points to biological realities – muscle mass, speed, strength – that can’t be erased by identity alone.
Groups like Concerned Women for America echo that message. They argue that allowing biological males into girls’ sports isn’t just unfair, it’s unsafe. The lawsuit’s claims of harassment add fuel to those concerns.
Nevada Connection
Nevada is not immune from the same pressures. In 2021, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) adopted guidelines that let transgender students participate in sports consistent with their gender identity.
While Nevada hasn’t seen a headline-grabbing case like Jurupa Valley yet, parents and coaches are watching closely.
Clark County, already dealing with school overcrowding, budget fights, and safety concerns, could face this same debate in the years ahead.
And if California’s lawsuits succeed, they may set legal precedents that ripple across state lines, directly affecting Nevada schools.
Public Opinion
Polling backs up conservative concerns. An AP-NORC survey in 2023 found that 67 percent of Americans oppose allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s and girls’ sports.
Among Republicans, opposition was overwhelming at 84 percent. Even many independents agreed.
That means conservatives aren’t alone in raising the alarm. This issue crosses political lines.
What Critics Say
Progressives argue that transgender students deserve inclusion and that denying them access is cruel.
Groups like the ACLU claim that barring transgender athletes violates civil rights laws. California lawmakers say they’re simply protecting students from discrimination.
But critics of those policies ask: what about the rights of girls who lose scholarships, championships, and in some cases, their sense of safety?
From Locker Rooms to Lawsuits: The Future of Fairness in Sports
The Hernandez story is just one example of a cultural fight spreading across the country.
Conservatives see it as a test of whether America will keep women’s sports fair and distinct, or let ideology erase decades of progress made under Title IX.
For parents in Nevada and beyond, the lesson is clear. Policies made in state legislatures and school boards matter. What starts in California doesn’t stay in California for long.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
