MJ MURPHY: A person’s self-declared identity is not the same thing as their sex. While identity may be relevant to a story and may be reported as a claim about an individual, it should not replace objective facts in news reporting.

Subject: Request for Correction Regarding Reporting on AB Hernandez

Dear San Francisco Chronicle Editors,

I am writing to request a correction to your reporting regarding AB Hernandez.

In your recent article, “Transgender athlete AB Hernandez adds two state titles as high…

— MJ Murphy (@hothingsgirlsay) May 31, 2026

Subject: Request for Correction Regarding Reporting on AB Hernandez Dear San Francisco Chronicle Editors, I am writing to request a correction to your reporting regarding AB Hernandez. In your recent article, “Transgender athlete AB Hernandez adds two state titles as high school track and field career ends,” the Chronicle repeatedly describes AB Hernandez as a transgender girl and uses female pronouns. (San Francisco Chronicle) AB Hernandez is male. A person’s self-declared identity is not the same thing as their sex. While identity may be relevant to a story and may be reported as a claim about an individual, it should not replace objective facts in news reporting. By describing a male athlete as a girl and using female pronouns throughout the article, the Chronicle presents identity-based descriptions in place of biological reality. This creates confusion and leaves readers with an inaccurate understanding of the material facts of the story. (San Francisco Chronicle) This is particularly important in sports reporting because athletic competition is organized around sex-based categories. The central controversy surrounding AB Hernandez exists precisely because Hernandez is male and is competing in a female category. Omitting or obscuring that fact prevents readers from fully understanding the issue being reported. Journalism should accurately describe the people involved in a story. Sex is an objective characteristic of a person and should not be replaced by subjective identity claims. Readers deserve reporting that is factual, transparent, and grounded in observable reality. I respectfully request that the San Francisco Chronicle correct this article and adopt reporting standards that distinguish clearly between sex and identity. Specifically, I request that AB Hernandez be accurately identified as male and that sex-inaccurate pronouns and descriptors be removed from the article. Accuracy and objectivity are foundational principles of journalism. I hope the Chronicle will uphold those principles in its future reporting. Sincerely, 

MJ Murphy