Tell the California Department of Education to shut down the bigoted “pilot policy” in sports NOW
Below is an email template, please copy and paste and adapt freely or write your own email to schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond. For background, you can read this article. Send to: Superintendent@cde.ca.gov *info@tonythurmond.com* tony@tonythurmond.com
RE: Stop CIF’s Discriminatory Policy for Trans Athletes NOW
Superintendent Tony Thurmond,
As California’s highest education officer, you have an unequivocal obligation to compel the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to immediately comply with California Education Code. This duty is neither optional nor discretionary — it is a fundamental requirement of your office.
As you are no doubt aware by now, CIF is continuing their illegal and discriminatory pilot policy for the 2026 state track and field championships. This policy outrageously dictates that a cisgender girl be allowed to share a podium spot with a transgender girl. Developed to target a single transgender child, it harms all transgender students, a protected class. This change undermines the protections of our Education Code at California schools.
Transgender girls are girls. Period. By allowing this to proceed, the California Department of Education (CDE) is telling young people that it is the official policy of the state of California that trans girls are not “real girls,” and ratifying the hate campaign aimed at AB Hernandez.
It is time for you to step in. There is still time, as we have two more weekends of track and field competition remaining. At Southern Sectional finals, this policy was applied, and Hernandez had to share the podium with a cisgender athlete. The hate campaign has used this image to crow that California agrees with their bullying. This is shameful.
Discriminating against transgender girls in school sports does not protect girls. It enlivens fear. It invites harmful policing of ALL girls’ bodies. Girls’ bodies are already subjected to harm in this world. This is control disguised as protection.
As a candidate for Governor, you said “we follow the law and protect the rights of transgender athletes to participate and to be able to do so safely.” Will you stand behind your words?
It is your job at the CDE to oversee CIF, as you yourself made clear when the pilot policy was first announced. In March 2025, you directed CIF to continue complying with California Education code 221.5 (f), making clear that your office is ultimately responsible for the harassment and bullying this child is enduring. California Education Code gives the CDE the authority to state that any policy affecting interscholastic sports does not follow California Law.
In direct contradiction to code 221.5, CIF’s policy targets children on the basis of their gender identity, applying different rules to one group based on a protected characteristic.
CDE has authority to force CIF and LEAs hosting track and field meets to comply with state law and ed code.
Do so now, before other girls, cis and transgender, are caught up in this net of ugliness. California should do better. Our laws demand this of us.
Respectfully,
[name]
Now that you’re done with that, email the California Department of Education!