Plane’s Bold Banner Stirs Trans Athlete Debate at California Track Championship
Sarah Johnson
May 31, 2025
Brief
Plane with 'No Boys in Girls' Sports' banner sparks debate at California track meet as trans athlete AB Hernandez dominates.
A small plane buzzing over Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis, California, during the state track and field prelims on Friday hoisted a banner proclaiming "No Boys in Girls' Sports!" The stunt, orchestrated by advocacy groups Women are Real and the Independent Council for Women's Sports, ignited a firestorm online. It spotlighted the contentious participation of trans athlete AB Hernandez in the girls' competition, a debate that’s tearing through locker rooms and social media feeds alike.
Hernandez dominated, clinching first in long jump, triple jump, and high jump, securing a spot in Saturday’s finals. Yet, the victories came under a cloud of controversy, with supporters like former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines cheering the banner’s message, while others decried it as divisive. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), under pressure from public outcry and threats of federal funding cuts from President Donald Trump, tweaked its rules days before the event. Now, girls who would’ve been edged out by Hernandez’s wins will still advance to the finals, a move that’s both a compromise and a lightning rod.
Friday’s drama wasn’t limited to the skies. A pro-LGBTQ protester was arrested after smashing car windows during a heated clash at a nearby intersection, police confirmed. The incident, which involved pepper spray and a scuffle, underscored the raw emotions fueling this debate. Sergeant Chris Hutchison emphasized, "We don’t have room for violence or property damage." As Saturday’s finals loom, all eyes are on Hernandez and the activists—on both sides—who’ll return to the stadium, ready to amplify their voices in this polarized showdown.
Topics
Editor's Comments
This track meet’s got more drama than a reality show finale. A plane with a banner? That’s not just a statement—it’s a sky-high mic drop. Meanwhile, Hernandez is jumping over records and controversy like they’re low hurdles. But here’s the kicker: when rules bend faster than a sprinter’s knees, and protests turn into pepper-spray parties, you’ve got to wonder—has the real race become who can shout the loudest?
Like this article? Share it with your friends!
If you find this article interesting, feel free to share it with your friends!
Thank you for your support! Sharing is the greatest encouragement for us.
