Girls’ Basketball Team Competes Against Transgender Opponent Amid School’s Rejection of Trump Administration Directive

February 20, 2025 TruthUSA

The California Interscholastic Federation is currently under federal investigation due to its plans that are seen as potentially violating an executive order.

A playoff game set for Feb. 22 will see a Christian high school girls’ basketball team compete against a team featuring a male athlete who identifies as female, as scheduled.

This game takes place amid an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education and its Office of Civil Rights into the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), which governs high school sports in the state.

The Education Department has stated that the investigation stems from CIF’s “publicly announced plans to contravene federal antidiscrimination laws pertaining to girls’ and women’s sports,” which includes allowing male athletes to participate in women’s sports and use their intimate facilities.

On Feb. 5, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling for an end to male participation in women’s sports, threatening federal funding for institutions that do not comply.

This upcoming playoff matchup features Cornerstone Christian School and San Francisco Waldorf, two private high schools located in the Bay Area.

Henry Hanlon, a senior at the San Francisco team, identifies as a female and has previously played on the girls’ volleyball and soccer teams.

In a communication with The Epoch Times, Cornerstone Christian School stated: “We are dedicated to upholding biblical principles in all of our decisions and actions. While we do not concur with or endorse the transgender movement, we firmly believe in loving our neighbors as ourselves as commanded in the Bible.”

The school expressed hope that the match will serve as “an opportunity for sportsmanship” and facilitate students to “extend compassion, respect, and grace to all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or identities.”

The Epoch Times has reached out to the athletic department of San Francisco Waldorf for their statement.

Previously, Stone Ridge Christian High School had to forfeit a girls’ volleyball match against Waldorf on Nov. 16, 2024, citing a conflict between their religious belief and competing against Hanlon.

“We do not believe that sex is changeable and will not engage in events that signal a differing message. We also feel a duty to ensure the health and safety of our athletes,” stated Stone Ridge Christian in a statement.

Following Trump’s executive order, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) revised its policy on transgender athletes, now limiting the women’s sports category to “student-athletes assigned female at birth.”

According to USA Facts, a nonprofit analyzing government data, approximately 13.9 percent of public school funding in California originates from federal sources. During the 2021–22 school year, schools received about $16.8 billion, translating to $2,859 in federal funds per student, compared to the national average of $2,536 per student.

California lawmakers remain divided over Trump’s executive order.

Democratic state lawmakers, who form the majority in the legislature, are attempting to approve $50 million in emergency funding aimed at challenging federal policies.

In a statement, state Assembly Democrats indicated that the funds would help “safeguard our economy, vulnerable Californians, and immigrant workers against threats from the White House and Republicans in Washington.”

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are proposing legislation to address transgender policies on a state level.

“We understand that California will strive to resist and evade compliance with federal law, so it is our responsibility to instigate change at both the state and local levels,” Assemblyman Bill Essayli stated at a press conference on Feb. 14.

On Jan. 7, Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez introduced a bill aiming to prohibit male athletes from competing in female sports.

In late 2024, San Jose State University attracted attention for including a transgender player on its women’s volleyball team, prompting some college teams to forfeit their games.

San Jose State team co-captain Brooke Slusser expressed at that time, “Many people do not agree with this, primarily due to the significant strength and power disparities; it simply isn’t safe.”

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