In the state of California, biological men are allowed to compete in the female division of their sport. This has caused outrage among parents and fellow competitors, as many have spoken out against their inclusion in women's sports.
Fox News reports AB Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School, is a biological male competing in girls’ track and field. Hernandez swept the competition, taking home a medal in every one of the events.
To compromise, the Californian Interscholastic Federation established a "shared podium," where Hernandez shared the podium with the female competitor who finished in second place.
Riley Gaines, host of “The Riley Gaines Show" and Outkick contributor, spoke on “Fox & Friends” about the shared podium, calling it "humiliating."
“You're minimizing their accomplishments. You are asking them to stand aside, to smile, to applaud the boy, to deny reality and to pretend that it's all okay,” says Gaines. “What is that? It is psychological abuse on full display.”
Gaines also points blame on Hernandez's mother as the driving source behind the events that her son goes through.
“She is the one who has allowed for her son to be lied to. It's not kind or compassionate or empathetic to lie, and that's what has happened to AB, clearly, with this whole affirmation model,” Gaines says.
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has said, "Stand with all kids and stand up to bullies." However, arguments from parents of the competitors say it's just a way to peg any female athlete who stands up for their sport as bullies.
This is not the only incident relating to male athletes in women's sports, as multiple states from across the country are currently facing similar issues with biological boys taking over girls sports.
And this is not the only time AFN has reported on Hernandez as he was covered last year after he won two first place medals and one second place medal in the girl’s track and field state championship.
