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EXCLUSIVE: A Republican lawmaker in California is making strides to alter statewide regulations allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports. Matt Walsh, a prominent conservative voice from The Daily Wire, is scheduled to testify before lawmakers during a hearing on Tuesday.
Assembly member Bill Essayli has introduced Assembly Bill 844, which seeks to base students’ participation in sports programs and their access to facilities—such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers—on their biological sex.
Since 2014, California has upheld a law known as Assembly Bill 1266, which grants students the right to participate in sex-segregated school sports and activities according to their gender identity. This law allows students, irrespective of the gender recorded on their documentation, to engage in programs that correspond to their self-identified gender.
Essayli expressed skepticism about the bill’s potential support, stating, “I believe the Democrats will double down and reject this bill tomorrow. They want to create a spectacle, positioning themselves as heroes for their progressive supporters.” His concerns reflect a broader trend where political issues surrounding youth sports and gender identity remain contentious.
The upcoming hearing, which falls under the purview of the Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee, will also feature testimony from Walsh, recognized for his vocal opposition to biological males participating in women’s sports.
Essayli’s bill emphasizes maintaining biological sex distinctions within school athletics and facilities, aiming to ensure fair competition while protecting student privacy and dignity. The proposed legislation seeks to offer clarity to school administrators and staff by establishing a comprehensive and enforceable statewide policy that reinforces the integrity of Title IX.
Joining the discussion will be Taylor Starling, a high school cross-country runner from Riverside. Starling has faced firsthand impacts from existing regulations, having lost her position on the varsity team to a transgender student who transferred to her school.
Walsh has been an outspoken critic of gender identity policies in sports, arguing that allowing biological males to compete against female athletes undermines the integrity of women’s sports. He stated, “Girls shouldn’t have to compete with boys or change next to them in locker rooms—this isn’t complicated. Even Gavin Newsom, after sensing the political winds, now acknowledges this issue’s unfairness. Let’s see if California Democrats can abandon their pretense and embrace this fundamental truth.”
The California Code of Regulations defines gender broadly, encompassing a person’s actual or perceived sex, as well as their identity and behavior, even if it contradicts traditional gender norms assigned at birth.
Furthermore, the California Interscholastic Federation Bylaw 300.D aligns with the Education Code, declaring that all students should have the opportunity to participate in CIF activities in a way that reflects their gender identity, independent of documentation.
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has shifted his stance against allowing biological males to compete in female categories, resulting in backlash from parts of the progressive community. Essayli remarked, “Gavin Newsom understands this issue now. He’s had a wake-up call and revised his position—agreeing that it’s unfair for biological males to compete on women’s teams.”
However, Essayli feels that Republican lawmakers face significant hurdles in crafting policies in Sacramento, where Democrats hold a supermajority in both chambers of the state Legislature. He remarked, “Common sense does not prevail in Sacramento. Many of the actions taken seem to defy logic to a significant portion of the public.”
This legislation continues to stoke debate over fairness and inclusion in sports, reflecting a broader cultural clash over gender identity and rights. As stakeholders weigh the implications of AB 844, the outcome of the upcoming hearing could set a precedent for how schools across California address participation in sports based on biological sex versus gender identity.
As this legislative battle unfolds, Walsh and his supporters will continue to advocate for what they perceive as necessary reforms to protect the fairness and integrity of women’s sports. As the effects of such laws ripple through California’s diverse communities, the consequences of this discussion will likely shape policy positions both in the state and nationally.
