California’s Kern County Defies Gavin Newsom, Aligns Girls’ Sports Rules with Federal Title IX [WATCH]

August 15, 2025

The Kern County Board of Education in California voted unanimously Tuesday to bar biological males from competing in girls’ sports, directly defying state law and Governor Gavin Newsom’s position on the issue, as reported by The New York Post.

The 6-0 resolution, introduced by Trustee Lori Cisneros, was approved with the backing of Board President Mary Little, who said the measure aligns with federal Title IX protections.

Nov 6, 2023; Boston, MA, USA; Schuyler Bailar poses for a portrait in a suit that reads “trans athlete” at Harvard’s Blodgett Pool. Bailar is an author, educator and swimmer who built a popular social media presence for being outspoken and squashing misinformation about trans people in sports. He swam for the Harvard Men’s Swimming and Diving team as the first openly transgender NCAA Division I swimmer. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY NETWORK

“We’ve talked about it on and off, especially since there’s been a problem with how Gov. Newsom has been responding to the federal law,” Little told Fox News Digital.

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“He’s not following the original intent of Title IX … so those laws are supposed to trump California laws, and we’re supposed to obey those before we follow an illegal California law.”

Cisneros, a 28-year teaching veteran who works with charter schools, said the resolution was about ensuring fairness and safety for female athletes.

“I believe it’s necessary to do our duty to protect girls in sports,” Cisneros said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the fast food bill AB1228 in Los Angeles, on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. California’s fast food workers will have a minimum wage of $20 per hour next year under a new law.

“I see it affecting families with girl athletes who are frustrated about having to compete against a biological male. And they’re frustrated because biological males, naturally, are stronger, bigger and just different than how girls are designed.”

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The move comes as the U.S. Department of Justice pursues a lawsuit against the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for permitting male athletes to compete in girls’ sports.

Little criticized Newsom, stating, “(Newsom) is costing the taxpayers a lot of money by illegally thwarting the law,” and added she would tell him directly, “Follow the federal law and Title IX.”

@GavinNewsom you lied on the podcast when you said this was unfair and then you do nothing, that’s your name now #donothingnewsom @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/HGQF9PhU94

— Lloyd Lofton (@lamarlofton) August 15, 2025

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon publicly praised the board’s decision on X Thursday, calling it “a courageous decision to defy their reckless Governor and take a stand for women and girls,” and urged other counties to take similar action.

California’s Kern County Board of Education made a courageous decision to defy their reckless Governor and take a stand for women and girls. I commend the Board members and hope other counties follow suit and protect women’s sports. https://t.co/ZrQPNOPGEu

— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) August 14, 2025

Little pointed to recent incidents illustrating the controversy, including one at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, where a transgender student took a varsity spot on the girls’ cross-country team.

Female athlete Taylor Starling, who lost her place on the roster, filed a lawsuit against the Riverside Unified School District.

Eight speakers opposed the resolution during Tuesday’s meeting, arguing in favor of transgender inclusion in girls’ sports. Little said she welcomed differing opinions but stood by the decision.

WATCH: A California school board voted to declare its support for “fairness in girls’ sports” and acknowledge biological differences between male and female athletes.

The Kern County Board of Education approved a resolution Tuesday which aligns with the Trump administration’s… pic.twitter.com/B8muJw89nX

— Off The Press (@OffThePress1) August 14, 2025

She also encouraged other school boards to pass similar measures, saying, “Take a stand and protect the students, especially the girls in sports and other vulnerable areas like locker rooms.”

A Public Policy Institute of California survey found that 65% of adults and 64% of likely voters in the state support requiring transgender athletes to compete on teams matching their biological sex. Among public school parents, that figure rose to 71%.

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