In a bold move that diverges from the views of many progressives, California Governor Gavin Newsom voiced his opposition to transgender women and girls competing in female sports during the first episode of his newly launched podcast. This public statement puts Newsom in the spotlight as a potential Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential race.
During a lengthy exchange with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who has been influential through his organization Turning Point USA in bolstering former President Donald Trump’s support among younger voters, Newsom expressed his stance plainly. “I think it’s an issue of fairness, I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness — it’s deeply unfair,” Newsom stated on the podcast titled “This is Gavin Newsom.”
Newsom clarified that he was not grappling with the fairness issue, emphasizing that he shares a deep respect for sports, having played college baseball himself. His comments form part of a broader attempt by Democrats to recalibrate after the 2024 election, which saw Trump return to the presidency and the Republican Party gaining control of Congress. A central tension within the Democratic Party has been the impact of cultural issues versus economic policies on their electoral setbacks.
Polling data suggests that the idea of allowing transgender women to participate in female sports is not widely accepted. A January poll by the New York Times/Ipsos reported that about 70% of Democrats are against such participation. Similarly, a 2023 Gallup survey highlighted a split within Democratic ranks concerning whether transgender individuals should join sports teams aligning with their current gender identity.
Despite his historical image as a social progressive, Newsom’s remarks drew criticism from LGBTQ advocates. California Assemblyman Chris Ward and state Senator Carolina Menjivar, leading members of the state’s LGBTQ legislative caucus, openly criticized Newsom, expressing their dismay and frustration. Tony Hoang, head of Equality California, described the governor’s comments as a disappointing blow that added to the existing challenges and fears of the transgender community. Under President Trump’s administration, this community faces what Hoang describes as “unprecedented attacks” from extremist political factions.
California’s existing laws, predating Newsom’s tenure, mandate schools to permit transgender students to participate in sports teams that match their gender identity. However, while the conversation around sports attracts significant controversy, there is generally less support for broader legislative restrictions on transgender rights, particularly concerning medical care.
AP VoteCast data reflects that a little over half of the electorate believes efforts supporting transgender rights might have overreached, with smaller groups believing the initiatives are either appropriate or insufficient. There is a slight inclination among voters to oppose laws that block gender-affirming treatments, like hormone therapy, for minors. Nevertheless, the issue of transgender participation in sports remains a cultural flashpoint, one that Republicans have effectively utilized.
Trump, during the 2024 presidential campaign, targeted Vice President Kamala Harris, a fellow Californian of Newsom’s. He criticized her support for LGBTQ+ rights while using campaign advertisements to tout his stance, aiming to appeal to voters with slogans such as “Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you.” This divisive approach also saw Trump threaten to withhold federal funding from educational institutions that allow participation by transgender athletes in women’s sports. Supporting his position, the NCAA shifted its policies to limit women’s competitions to those identified as female at birth, reversing its prior sport-specific regulatory framework.
Ward and Menjivar have argued that team participation based on gender identity was largely uncontroversial until Trump brought it into focus as a major issue. Throughout his discussion with Kirk, Newsom attempted to navigate a complex landscape, acknowledging the mental health challenges faced by transgender individuals and underscoring his desire to approach the topic with balance and compassion while addressing the inherent fairness challenges.
Newsom’s current stance marks a shift from his earlier political actions. Notably, as the mayor of San Francisco in 2004, he gained national prominence by pioneering the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses, paving the way for landmark legal rulings in California and subsequently influencing federal laws. Although times have changed, Newsom’s involvement in this complex discussion hints at the dynamic nature of political leadership.
