Newsom Faces Backlash Over Transgender Sports Comments on Podcast

California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum following comments he made regarding transgender athletes participating in women’s and girls’ sports during the debut episode of his podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom." The episode featured Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, who directly questioned Newsom on the issue.

Kirk raised a hypothetical scenario about a transgender male athlete potentially winning a state championship in the long jump in female sports. He pressed Newsom to take a firm stance against such situations, asking if he would "say no men in female sports."

Newsom responded by acknowledging the "fairness" concerns surrounding the issue, stating, "I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness – it’s deeply unfair. I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you."

Kirk further challenged Newsom on a specific instance involving a transgender track athlete at Jurupa Valley High School in Southern California who reportedly achieved a jump exceeding 40 feet. While Newsom didn’t directly address the specific win, he reiterated his stance on the "fairness issue."

However, Newsom also emphasized the importance of approaching the issue with "humility and grace," noting the higher rates of suicide, anxiety, and depression among transgender individuals. He expressed concern about the way vulnerable communities are often treated and called for decency in addressing the issue. "These poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression. And the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well. So, both things I can hold in my hand. How can we address this issue with the kind of decency that I think, you know, is inherent in you but not always expressed on the issue?" he stated.

Newsom conceded that the Democratic Party faces challenges on this issue and his remarks have ignited a firestorm of reactions.

Conservative voices, like Riley Gaines, a former NCAA athlete and advocate for fairness in women’s sports, criticized Newsom’s seemingly ambivalent stance. Gaines, who hosts the "Gaines for Girls" podcast on OutKick, has been a vocal proponent of policies restricting transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports.

However, the governor also drew sharp rebukes from LGBTQ+ advocates and Democratic lawmakers.

Charlotte Clymer, a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate, accused Newsom of pandering to anti-trans conservatives and treating transgender youth as "disposable bargaining chips" in his pursuit of a potential 2028 presidential run. Clymer argued that Newsom was well aware of the "ridiculous, rightwing propaganda effort" surrounding transgender youth in sports, fueled by "anti-trans hatred, not reason." She strongly condemned his decision to engage with Charlie Kirk, whom she characterized as having spent his career "dehumanizing trans people for sport."

California Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Caroline Menjivar, who serve as chair and vice chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, jointly released a statement expressing their profound dismay and frustration with Newsom’s comments. They emphasized that "all students deserve the academic and health benefits of sports activity" and pointed out that allowing students to participate on teams consistent with their gender identity had not been problematic until Donald Trump "began obsessing about it."

Despite Newsom’s acknowledgment of "fairness" concerns, California has resisted President Donald Trump’s "No Men in Women’s Sports" executive order, which aimed to restrict biological males from participating in girls’ and women’s sports.

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) reaffirmed its policy last month, citing state law, which permits students to participate in school programs and activities, including athletics, consistent with their gender identity, regardless of the gender listed on their records. "The CIF provides students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete in education-based experiences in compliance with California law [Education Code section 221.5. (f)] which permits students to participate in school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, consistent with the student’s gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the student’s records," the CIF stated.

Earlier in the week, Senate Democrats blocked the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act from advancing, failing to overcome a filibuster. The bill received 51 votes but fell short of the 60 needed to proceed. This bill would have severely restricted the ability of transgender women to participate in female sports, solidifying the Democratic Party’s overall stance of support for transgender rights.

Newsom’s comments come at a time when the issue of transgender athletes in sports has become a highly politicized and divisive topic nationwide. Several states have enacted laws restricting transgender athletes’ participation, while others have adopted more inclusive policies. The debate raises complex questions about fairness, inclusion, and the rights of transgender individuals.

Newsom’s attempt to navigate the middle ground on the issue has seemingly satisfied neither side, highlighting the challenges faced by politicians in addressing such sensitive and polarizing topics. The backlash he is experiencing underscores the intensity of the debate and the importance of finding solutions that balance the needs and concerns of all stakeholders. His comments have sparked a wider conversation about the nuances of gender identity, athletic competition, and the role of government in regulating such matters. The issue continues to be debated in legislatures, courts, and communities across the country, and the implications of these discussions will have a significant impact on the lives of transgender athletes for years to come.