The opening round of the California women's state track and field tournament was rocked by a political demonstration for the second year in a row on Saturday.
A “Save Girls' Sports” protest, organized by former NCAA women's soccer player Sophia Lorey, took place outside the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries in Yorba Linda and coincided with the participation of a trans athlete from Jurupa Valley High School.
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Former NCAA women's soccer player Sophia Lorey gives a speech at the 'Save Girls Sports' rally. (Alejandro Ávilla from OutKick)
“Our daughters are paying the price,” California superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw said during a speech. “This is crazy! Our girls are suffering! They're not safe. Every time they walk into any competition or the bathroom, they're not safe!”
'Save Girls Sports' activists at a rally in California on Saturday, May 9, 2026 (Alejandro Ávilla from OutKick)
The announcement of the protest earlier this week sparked a war of words involving Newsom's office and the White House.
A source from the governor's office provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to the protest announcement.
“The Governor has said that discussions on this issue must be guided by justice, dignity and respect. He rejects the right's cynical attempt to weaponize this debate as an excuse to vilify individual children. The Governor's position is simple: stand with all children and stand up to bullies,” the statement read.
“California is one of 22 states that have laws requiring that students be allowed to participate in sex-segregated school sports based on their gender identity. California passed this law in 2013 (AB 1266) and it was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.”
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A White House spokesperson later condemned the governor for the state's continued resistance to President Donald Trump's mandate to prevent biological trans male athletes from competing in women's sports.
“Gavin Newscum is a truly sick individual who has no respect for fairness, dignity and respect. If he did, he would not allow men to compete in women's sports, limiting women's opportunities and endangering their health and safety. President Trump fights for common sense policies that elevate every athlete and restore justice on the field,” White House spokesperson Allison Schuster told Fox News Digital.
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After a similar protest by Lorey in the first round last year, the California women's track and field state finals erupted into a chaotic, nationally publicized spectacle that included competitive protests, arrest of a pro-trans activist for allegedly attacking a conservative activist, the flyover of an airplane with a “Save Girls' Sports” banner, and even Lorey's expulsion from the venue.
After the Jurupa trans athlete won first place in the triple jump and high jump, and second place in the long jump, the Trump Justice Department launched a lawsuit against California state agencies for alleged Title IX violations last July.
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