California is facing a discriminatory directive from U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon: rescind any sports prizes awarded to transgender athletes and ban them from competition within 10 days.
McMahon announced Wednesday that the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which governs school sports, violated Title IX by allowing transgender athletes to participate on teams aligning with their gender identity.
This move directly challenges a 2013 California law, signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown, that allows student-athletes to participate on teams or use facilities consistent with their gender identity.
Earlier this year, the state Legislature rejected two attempts to repeal this protective law and ban transgender girls from sports.
The California Department of Education has not yet responded to requests for comment on this federal ultimatum.
