Hearing Date Set for California Bill to Ban Transgender Athletes in Girls’ Sports

The Assembly bill will be heard on April 1. A similar measure at the federal level failed to pass through the U.S. Senate earlier this month.

Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines (2nd R) joins a rally to protect women's sports outside the NCAA Convention in San Antonio on Jan. 12, 2023. Darren Abate/AP Photo

A proposed law in California that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports has received a hearing date.

The hearing for AB89, the Protect Girl’s Sports Act, will be held April 1 by the Assembly’s Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee.

The bill would require the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to change its constitutions, bylaws, and policies so that a pupil whose sex was male at birth would be prohibited from participating on a girls’ interscholastic sports team.

Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita) introduced the bill, arguing that it would restore fair and safe conditions for girls’ sports by preventing biological males from competing.

“Women’s sports have long been a symbol of dedication, perseverance, and opportunity,” she said in an announcement video posted to X. “As a former high school athlete, I know this is a space where young women can compete fairly, achieve their dreams, and showcase their talents.”

She said fairness in women’s sports is being stripped away.

“When biological men are allowed to compete in women’s sports, it creates an unfair playing field. Young women who have spent years training, sacrificing, and earning their place to compete at the highest level are now being forced to compete against individuals with undeniable biological advantages.”

“It’s not just unfair, it’s disheartening and dangerous,” said Sanchez. “For girls, this is about more than competition—it’s about safety. Whether in contact sports, locker rooms, or shared spaces, these policies place our daughters at risk. We cannot ignore the physical and emotional toll this takes.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed the issue in his podcast’s first episode, in which he agreed with conservative political activist Charlie Kirk that allowing transgender girls in female sports was unfair. The governor acknowledged that Republicans had effectively weaponized the issue against his party.

“I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness. It’s deeply unfair,” Newsom said. “I’m not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you.”

According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, 66 percent of Americans think that transgender athletes should play in sports based on their birth sex. The issue played a prominent role in the 2024 campaign.

State Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Roseburg), who represents a long stretch of California along the Nevada border, was skeptical of the governor.

“Newsom lied about his position on women’s sports,” said Kiley in a social media post on X. “And his continued support for allowing biological males to compete is putting our federal funding at risk.”

Transgender rights advocates protest an Our Bodies, Our Sports rally at the Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., on June 23, 2022. Terri Wu/The Epoch Times

President Donald Trump has threatened to suspend federal funds for states that let biological males compete against girls and women. On Feb. 6, he signed an executive order designed to provide a safe and fair sports environment for women and girls.

In his order, Trump references Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, which states that educational institutions receiving federal funds cannot deny women an equal opportunity to participate in sports.

“Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy,” the order said.

“It shall also be the policy of the United States to oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.”

A bill similar to California’s AB89, The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, S.9, was blocked on March 3 in the United States Senate after it fell short of the 60 votes needed. The bill passed the House in January.