A group of protesters gathered in Costa Mesa, California, on June 20, calling on the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to bar transgender girls from participating in girls’ high school sports, reigniting a heated national debate over gender identity and athletic competition.
Key Highlights:
- Event: Protest held outside CIF Southern Section offices in Costa Mesa
- Date: Thursday, June 20, 2025
- Organizers: Moms for Liberty, Protect Kids California, and other conservative groups
- Primary Demand: Ban transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports at California schools
- Opposition View: Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights call such bans discriminatory
- CIF Policy: Allows transgender student-athletes to compete in accordance with their gender identity
The Protest and Its Political Context
Dozens of demonstrators — many affiliated with conservative and parental rights organizations — accused CIF of endangering fairness in girls’ sports and ignoring biological differences. They delivered a letter to CIF officials urging them to revise current policies and adopt a ban similar to those in other states.
The protest is part of a wider push across the U.S. by conservative groups to restrict transgender participation in school athletics, with 23 states having enacted similar bans.
Response from CIF and LGBTQ+ Advocates
CIF reiterated that it will continue to follow state law, which requires that student-athletes be treated in accordance with their gender identity. LGBTQ+ rights organizations strongly opposed the protest, arguing that inclusion and equal opportunity are central to school sports and that banning transgender athletes is a form of discrimination.
Summary
As the transgender sports debate intensifies, Costa Mesa becomes a flashpoint in California. Protesters are pressuring CIF to change its inclusive policy, while state law and advocacy groups emphasize equal rights and fair treatment for all students.
