For the first time in over a decade, the California State Legislature is preparing to publicly debate the controversial issue of male participation in female sports. Two bills aimed at restoring fairness and privacy for girls in K-12 athletics will receive public hearings next Tuesday, April 1, at 9 a.m. in the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism.
Assemblymembers Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita) and Bill Essayli (R-Corona) have each introduced legislation to reestablish biological sex as the standard for participation in sex-segregated sports and school facilities. These common-sense protections—backed by overwhelming public support—challenge California’s decade-old policy permitting students to compete in athletics and access facilities based on gender identity rather than biological sex.
A Wake-Up Call for Fairness
Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez’s AB 89, the “Protect Girls’ Sports Act,” calls on the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to ensure that only females participate on female sports teams. “Women’s sports have always been a space where dedication, perseverance, and opportunity thrive,” Sanchez said. “But that fairness is being stripped away.”
Sanchez, a former high school athlete herself, emphasized the need to defend opportunities girls have fought to secure under Title IX. “It’s not just unfair—it’s disheartening and dangerous,” she added.
Assemblyman Bill Essayli’s AB 844 complements Sanchez’s bill by addressing both athletics and facility access. The bill would amend the California Education Code to require that participation in sex-segregated programs—including access to restrooms, locker rooms, and showers—be based on biological sex. Essayli argues the measure is necessary to “safeguard student privacy and dignity,” pointing to ongoing legal disputes such as the case against Riverside Unified School District, where a male displaced a female cross-country co-captain.
Committee Chair Opposes Bills, But Allows Hearing
Surprisingly, the hearing will be hosted by Committee Chair Assemblyman Christopher Ward (D-San Diego), who also serves as Chair of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. Ward has already expressed opposition to the bills but admitted the committee “had the capacity” to hear them. According to the Sacramento Bee, Ward stated, “We’re hoping we can document that we’ve had this debate and put it to rest once and for all.”
In other words, the hearing may be a formality aimed at dismissing the issue—but it nonetheless provides an essential platform for parents, coaches, and students to voice concerns.
The Public is Not on the Legislature’s Side
While Democrat lawmakers continue to defend gender identity-based sports policies, public sentiment tells a different story. A recent New York Times poll found a strong bipartisan majority—including Republicans, Democrats, and Independents—oppose allowing males who identify as female to compete in girls’ sports.
Even Governor Gavin Newsom, known for championing progressive causes, recently admitted on his podcast in an interview with Charlie Kirk that it is “deeply unfair” for boys to compete in girls’ sports. His comment marks a striking shift from his previous position and reflects a growing recognition—even among progressives—that the issue cannot be ignored.
A Defining Moment for California Families
The April 1 hearing will be a critical moment for lawmakers to choose between political ideology and biological reality. California’s girls deserve fair competition, privacy, and safety. If these protections are not reinstated, young women will continue to lose athletic opportunities, scholarships, and the very spirit of sportsmanship.
California Family Council stands firmly in support of AB 89 and AB 844. We urge concerned citizens to attend the hearing, contact their representatives, and speak out for truth and justice in defense of our daughters.
“As a former college athlete and someone who has spent years competing, training, and sacrificing alongside other young women, I know firsthand what’s at stake,” said Sophia Lorey, California Family Council Outreach Director. “AB 89 isn’t about exclusion—it’s about preserving the integrity, safety, and fairness of girls’ sports. When males are allowed to compete against females, girls lose their scholarships, their records, their safety, and their dreams. I’m proud to stand up for the next generation of female athletes, and I urge lawmakers to do the same by supporting this bill.”
Hearing Details
What: Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism
When: Tuesday, April 1, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: California State Capitol, Sacramento in Room 444.
Take Action
Call members of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism and urge them to support AB 89 and AB 844 to protect Girls Sports
