🛑 “YOU ARE JEALOUS OF ME” Transgender athlete A.B. Hernandez on the podium at a competition responded to high school girls who spoke out against her results. 👇
A powerful moment unfolded at a recent regional track and field competition when transgender athlete A.B. Hernandez stood atop the podium and directly addressed criticism from several high school girls who publicly questioned the fairness of her participation. What could have been a quiet medal ceremony became a spark for a much larger conversation that continues to shake the landscape of youth sports in America.
Hernandez, who has been competing under official athletic guidelines allowing transgender athletes to participate according to gender identity, won the 400-meter event by a noticeable margin. As she accepted her medal, some of her competitors stood nearby looking visibly disappointed. Shortly after, a few of them voiced their frustrations in interviews, saying they felt their chances of winning were taken away. Their comments quickly spread online.
Instead of ignoring the controversy, Hernandez responded on the podium—calmly, yet boldly. “You are jealous of me,” she said, her voice clear and steady. “Not because of who I am, but because I worked hard and I won. I trained every day, I followed every rule, and I earned this medal.” Her words immediately sparked mixed reactions from athletes, parents, and spectators.
She continued, explaining that she understood the frustrations but felt the criticism was unfair and rooted in misunderstanding rather than facts. “I know it’s emotional. I know losing hurts. But I am not the enemy. I am just an athlete—like you. I get up early, I train, I push through pain, and I want to improve. None of that changes because I’m transgender.”
Audience members in the stands became divided—some applauded in support, while others remained silent, unsure how to respond. The tension in the air was undeniable, but so was the emotion behind Hernandez’s statement. She later clarified that her comment was not meant to mock her competitors, but to call out the idea that her identity alone was the cause of their anger.
The high school girls who spoke out earlier had expressed that they felt “upset” and “defeated” by competing against someone they believed had an advantage. They said their concerns were not personal, but about what they called “fairness.” Their remarks quickly made headlines and added fuel to an already ongoing national debate.
In interviews following the event, Hernandez emphasized her right to compete under current regulations and pointed out that sports bodies at various levels—including the one overseeing this competition—had already reviewed and approved her eligibility. “I’m not breaking rules,” she said. “I’m following them. If people want the rules to change, that’s a bigger conversation. But don’t blame me for competing legally.”
Her statement gained support from advocates who argue that transgender athletes deserve respect and inclusion, not public shaming. However, critics—including parents and coaches—insisted the situation is not about identity, but about physiology and fairness in competition.
Experts are increasingly drawn into these debates, trying to balance inclusion with competitive equity. What remains clear is that young athletes like Hernandez are often thrust into cultural battles far bigger than their own lanes, podiums, or medals.
Social media exploded after the moment, with hashtags emerging both in support of Hernandez and in favor of the girls who spoke out. Some praised Hernandez’s courage in addressing the issue head-on, while others said the comment came across as dismissive of real concerns.
Yet even in the storm of opinions, something unexpected happened: more athletes—both for and against her inclusion—started speaking openly. Not with insults, but with questions, confusion, emotion, and a desire to be heard.
The image of Hernandez standing on the podium—confident, emotional, and unafraid to speak—may very well become a symbol of this era in youth sports. A moment that pushed the conversation forward, even if painfully.
Because one thing is certain: the debate is far from over. And young athletes, like A.B. Hernandez and those who stood beside her that day, are at the center of it—fighting not only for medals, but to be understood.
