The mother of transgender high school athlete AB Hernandez claimed her child was rendered “invisible” after the track competitor was forced to share the winner’s podium with other athletes.
Speaking to the audience at the San Francisco Pride Summit Thursday, Nereyda Hernandez decried the decision by the California Interscholastic Federation’s to give first-place honors to the biological female athletes who finished directly behind AB.
“Of course I’m going to be upset,” Hernandez said. “AB put in all the work, all the hours after school, and she got put aside. It was heartbreaking. I knew it hurt her, because she’s physically there but she’s kind of invisible.”
The rule, first instituted by the CIF in 2025, was meant to address controversy around trans athletes competing in female sports.
The issue grew so large that it attracted the attention of President Trump, who said last year that he would withhold federal funding from California if it “continues to ILLEGALLY allow ‘MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.”
AB took the top spot in several events last month while competing for Jurupa Valley High School in Riverside County.
The athlete’s participation led to protests by demonstrators wearing “Save Girl’s Sports” shirts and carrying signs reading, “No boys. No bias. Just fairness.”
AB, who graduated in May, laughed off the protests.
“I don’t care,” the athlete said last month.
“Track is a very singular sport; it teaches you to rely on yourself. Once you’re on the track, you just stay focused on the track.”