Press Conference: Friday, June 20 at 9:00 a.m. | Outside the Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 686 Anton Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
COSTA MESA, CA — On Friday morning, June 20, the California Family Council (CFC) will gather with female athletes, parents, and community leaders outside the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel to call on the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to reverse its controversial policy allowing males to compete in girls’ sports.
The press conference will begin at 9:00 a.m., one hour before the CIF Executive Committee is scheduled to meet inside the hotel at 10:00 a.m.
Sophia Lorey, former CIF and collegiate athlete and now Outreach Director for California Family Council, will announce the delivery of 19,577 petition signatures as well as 41 state and nationwide organizations across political parties and different religious backgrounds demanding CIF adopt policies that uphold the intent of federal Title IX law, originally passed to ensure equal athletic opportunity for girls. See petition here.
“This is about justice,” said Lorey. “Girls across California are being sidelined by policies that ignore biological reality. CIF must answer for that.
Featured Speakers Include:
Sophia Lorey – Former CIF & Collegiate Athlete; Save Girls’ Sports Advocate, California Family Council
Julianne Fleischer – Senior Legal Counsel, Advocates for Faith & Freedom
Taylor Starling – CIF Athlete, Plaintiff Suing the State of CA over AB 1266
Ryan Starling – Father of Taylor Starling
Kaitlyn Slavin – CIF Athlete, Plaintiff Suing the State of CA over AB 1266
Celeste Duyst – CIF Track Athlete who experienced a male presence in her locker room
Bridgette Vanherweg – Mother of CIF athlete Audrey Vanherweg, who changed in her car due to locker room policy
Heather Snow – Mother of a CIF Track Athlete who competed against a male
Tracy Viola – Mother of CIF Athlete Olivia Viola, who had to compete against a male
Tinette Vaillancourt Schierbeek – Norco High School Track Coach
Madison Shaw – Chino High School CIF Female Athlete
Sonja Shaw – CVUSD Board President & Candidate for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Noelle Fitchett – Communications Director, Concerned Women for America of California
Alison Foote – Representative from ICONSJessica Tapia – Former PE Teacher & Coach, fired for standing up for girls’ sports and spaces
Jessica Tapia – Former PE Teacher & Coach, fired for standing up for girls’ sports and spaces
Many of the young women speaking will later address the CIF Executive Committee directly during the public comment period of the official meeting.
This event takes place just days before the 53rd anniversary of Title IX, signed into law on June 23, 1972 — a law once celebrated for ensuring fair competition for girls and now at the center of intense public scrutiny.
For media inquiries or more information, contact:
Sophia Lorey
California Family Council
📧 sophial@californiafamily.org
📞 (909) 223 – 5563
About California Family Council
California Family Council works to advance God’s design for life, family, and liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture. By advocating for policies that reinforce the sanctity of life, the strength of traditional marriages, and the essential freedoms of religion, CFC is dedicated to preserving California’s moral and social foundation.