A school board meeting turned into a chaotic exchange between concerned parents and transgender activists. The debate centered on a transgender athlete competing on the girls' cross-country team.
The Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) hosted the meeting in Riverside, California. It followed weeks of protests at Martin Luther King High School over students wearing "Save Girls' Sports" T-shirts.
Students had been disciplined for wearing the shirts, sparking a larger movement. By mid-December, the school stopped enforcing punishments after hundreds continued to wear the shirts every Wednesday.
Outside the meeting, opposing groups rallied. Pro-trans activists and "Save Girls' Sports" supporters clashed, setting the tone for the heated discussions inside.
Once the meeting started, speakers voiced their opinions. Many parents opposing the district's decision wore the controversial shirts themselves. Emotions ran high on both sides.
A mother, identified only as Sandy R., expressed her outrage early in the meeting. She claimed her identity had been revealed to pro-trans activists outside, leaving her fearful of being "doxxed." Sandy vowed to file a harassment complaint.
Sandy also accused the board of violating Title IX. She criticized them for prioritizing California state law over federal protections for female athletes.
Another parent raised concerns about the school district’s science curriculum. She pointed out how ninth-grade biology textbooks explicitly teach the genetic differences between males and females. Reading aloud, she emphasized the distinction between XY and XX chromosomes.
The night ended with no resolution, but the community’s divide was evident. Both sides remained steadfast in their beliefs.