On March 4, the steps of Porterville’s City Hall were crowded with protestors as activists gathered ahead of a City Council meeting at which two proposals relating to “women’s” and “trans” rights were on the agenda. These transphobic proposals, framed as a defense of women’s rights, were widely condemned by LGBTQ+ advocates as an attempt to delegitimize and erase transgender women.
These proposals were explained as a way to protect women and children under TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) ideology. TERFs reject the inclusion of transgender women in women’s spaces, arguing that gender identity is invalid and that only biological sex defines womanhood. This ideology, though claiming to protect women, has frequently allied itself with right-wing and anti-LGBTQ+ movements, weaponizing feminist rhetoric against some of the most marginalized people in society.
The March 4 protest was only the beginning. There was a larger demonstration before the following City Council meeting on March 18, where two explicitly anti-transgender proposals were up for discussion. The City Council is still working on its proposals and seems determined to pass the ordinances.
Women’s Safe Spaces Ordinance
This ordinance, proposed by Mayor Greg Meister, would make it illegal for people to use bathrooms, locker rooms or other private facilities that do not correspond with their assigned sex at birth. Violations by individuals could result in fines up to $1,000 after multiple offenses. Businesses failing to comply could face fines up to $5,000.
While Meister claims this measure is intended to “protect the safety and privacy of women,” studies show that there is no statistical basis for the fear that transgender women pose a threat to cisgender women. In contrast, transgender people are disproportionately the victims of violence rather than its perpetrators.
A study from the Williams Institute found that transgender individuals experience violence at significantly higher rates than their cisgender counterparts. Trans women, in particular, are four times more likely to be victims of violent crime. No data support the claim that transgender women are a danger to cisgender women in restrooms or any other setting.
Safeguarding Parental Rights in Education and Child Upbringing Proposal
Vice Mayor Ed McKervey proposed to mandate that schools must notify parents within three days if a student asks to be called by a different name or pronoun or requests access to gender-aligned facilities.
Exceptions exist only in cases where disclosure would lead to immediate, severe harm to the child, in which case child welfare authorities must be notified instead.
The policy also includes provisions restricting access to sexual health education and barring schools from offering contraceptives or abortion referrals without explicit parental consent.
McKervey argues that this would enhance parental rights. However, critics warn that it places transgender students in danger by potentially outing them to unsupportive or abusive households. Forced outings can lead to increased rates of homelessness, mental health crises and even suicide among transgender youth.
Legal experts have raised concerns about the constitutionality of such policies. In a similar case, the Chino Valley Unified School District in California implemented a policy requiring schools to inform parents if a student requested to use a name or pronoun different from their birth certificate or sought access to facilities that aligned with their gender identity.
This policy was challenged in court, and on Sept. 9, 2024, a San Bernardino County judge found that the policy could not be enforced, deeming it unconstitutional. The court ruled that the policy infringed upon the privacy rights of students, particularly those who might face harm if their gender identity were disclosed without their consent.
Attacks Across the World
The push for anti-trans policies in Porterville is unfortunately not an isolated incident. Across the country, Republican-led state legislatures have introduced a record number of bills targeting transgender individuals, particularly youth. These range from bans on gender-affirming healthcare to restrictions on participation in sports.
The history of anti-trans sentiment is deeply tied to racist and sexist ideologies. Black and Brown transgender women face compounded discrimination, navigating not only transphobia but also the racial bias that has historically policed their bodies.
This issue extends beyond trans people—cisgender women of color have also been unfairly scrutinized and stripped of their womanhood when they do not fit white, Western beauty standards.
A recent international example of this is Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who faced unfounded accusations regarding her gender during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite being a cisgender woman, Khelif was subjected to invasive scrutiny and online harassment, including false claims about her biological sex.
These accusations were particularly perilous given that Algeria criminalizes transgender identity, placing Khelif’s safety at risk. Her dignity and the sacrifices she has endured in order to get to that level of sportsmanship were completely disregarded because she doesn’t fit how “women” are supposed to appear to the narrow minded.
Khelif has since taken legal action against individuals perpetuating these falsehoods, highlighting the real-world dangers that arise from rigid and discriminatory gender norms.
A Struggle for Existence
As Porterville prepares for its next City Council meeting, the stakes are clear. The March 18 vote will not only impact the transgender residents of the city but also send a broader message about whose rights are prioritized and whose existence is up for debate.
As the March 18 meeting stretched late into the night, frustration and exhaustion filled the room, but the message from the community was clear. “This ordinance is not about safety; it is about targeting a marginalized group,” said Alexi, a local resident.
“If you actually cared about protecting women, you would ask us what would make us feel safer—what would help prevent domestic violence, stalking or assault. Instead, you’re pushing an unnecessary policy that puts transgender people at risk and solves nothing.”
Dr. Catherine Hall, a retired pediatrician, reinforced the facts: “No transgender person presents a risk to others in restrooms. There are no cases of women being assaulted by transgender women in public facilities.
“However, transgender women—especially trans women of color—are at a significantly higher risk of violence. This ordinance does not protect women; it creates unnecessary fear and puts more people in danger.”
One of the most pointed statements of the night came from T, a local transgender resident, who spoke not just for themselves, but for every trans person who has been silenced by policies like this.
“This policy will make life more dangerous for people like me—trans and gender-expansive folks who just need to use the restroom like everyone else. What are you afraid of? We’re not harassing anyone, we’re not a threat—we’re just trying to exist. Respect our existence, or respect our resistance.”
