Riley Gaines: Calif. Transgender Athlete Podium-Sharing Policy ‘Psychological Abuse’ of Girls
18th May 2026
“I believe they’re just seeking a public humiliation ritual for the girls,” 12-time NCAA All-American female athlete Riley Gaines said Monday after California high school girls were forced to share the podium and first-place with a biological male at a track and field competition Saturday.
Biological male AB Hernandez finished ahead of all girl athletes in the high jump, long jump and triple jump – just as he did last weekend at another California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) track and field competition for high school girls.
This time, however, a newly-revived rule placed both the top girl and top biological male (transgender) athletes side-by-side on the podium to receive first-place awards.