A California candidate and women’s sports advocate faced a contentious situation during a school board candidate forum due to her ‘Save Girls Sports’ shirt. Shannon Kessler, a Republican contender for California’s 30th Assembly District and the founder of Save Girls Sports Central Coast, attended a Sept. 21 forum at Arroyo Grande High School. The event, organized by the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County and the American Association of University Women’s 5 Cities Pismo Beach Branch, ended abruptly following a dispute over forum rules related to the attire.
Kessler stated that event organizers instructed her to cover the shirt, which also included her campaign information, due to a violation of rules against campaign slogans. A video provided by Kessler captures the forum’s host announcing a rule violation and cancelling the event with audience members asked to leave. The forum continued without an audience, featuring responses to pre-submitted questions on camera.
According to Kessler, the problem arose upon her entry while wearing the shirt. Organizers requested she turn the shirt inside out, but she initially refused. She argued that the slogan relates to her advocacy against transgender athletes in girls’ sports rather than her campaign specifically.
Despite offering to cover the campaign information on her shirt’s back, organizers insisted she also conceal the ‘Save Girls Sports’ message, labeling it as anti-trans. Kessler countered that interpretation, maintaining that it was not intended to be hateful. Discrepancies were noted in rule enforcement, as other attendees wore different slogan-bearing attire without similar demands. Forum rules clearly restrict campaign clothing within the event room, allowing such items in designated areas outside. Those not complying faced potential ejection or police intervention.
Arroyo Grande police records confirm a disturbance call related to the events, though officers did not remove Kessler, who eventually borrowed a jacket to cover her shirt. Despite her compliance, the meeting remained canceled. The event underscored ongoing local debates about transgender participation in girls’ sports.
Lucia Mar School District clarified their role, stating the forum was organized independently by the League. Meanwhile, Kessler continues her advocacy for policies based on biological sex in athletic competitions, critiquing state policy without opposition to individuals. Her campaign persists as she challenges Democratic Assemblymember Dawn Addis while continuing to address these pressing issues before the Lucia Mar board.
Reporter Jackson Thompson with Fox News Digital provided coverage of these events, highlighting their broader significance in political and cultural sports discussions.
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