Governor Gavin Newsom of California is getting a lot of backlash from Democrats and LGBTQ+ people because he said something about transgender athletes playing sports for women. At the start of the first episode of his podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” the governor talked with Charlie Kirk, a right-wing campaigner. During the conversation, he said that letting transgender women and girls play female sports was “deeply unfair.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the most radical trans laws in the nation, but suddenly believes that it’s unfair to have transgender athletes in female sports
He’s running in 2028 pic.twitter.com/Ezvuryyf7u
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 6, 2025
“I think it’s an issue of fairness,” Gavin Newsom said during the chat. I agree with everything you said. It has to do with fairness—it’s very unfair.” He also talked about the mental health problems transgender people face, pointing out that they are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety, and be depressed. But the fact that he agrees with a point of view that is usually connected with conservatives has surprised many people in his own party.
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A law passed in 2013 in California lets transgender players play on school sports teams that match their gender identity. Gavin Newsom’s latest views are different from how he has always fought for LGBTQ+ rights. For example, as mayor of San Francisco in 2004, he made history by allowing same-sex marriages before they were legalized across the country.
Democrats and LGBTQ+ groups have strongly disagreed with what the governor said. Assemblyman Chris Ward and state Senator Carolina Menjivar, who are in charge of California’s LGBTQ+ congressional group, were shocked and upset by the statements. They told us, “We woke up profoundly sickened and frustrated by these remarks.” The head of Equality California, Tony Hoang, expressed his sadness, saying that Gavin Newsom’s comments “added to the heartbreak and fear” that the transgender community is feeling, especially with the policies of the Trump administration.
Transgender people playing women’s sports has become a major political problem across the country. Recently released polls show that most Americans, including about 70% of Democrats, are against letting transgender women play sports for women. Republican campaigns have used this feeling to show that Democrats are not in line with common ideals.
No one believes pornography should be taught in schools, obviously.
But that’s not why 4,000+ books have been banned.
The Republican Party has been on a banning binge. pic.twitter.com/lFGb9yAADM
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 6, 2025
Gavin Newsom’s words come at a time when the Democratic Party is split over issues of culture vs. issues of economics, especially after the 2024 elections, which saw big wins for the Republicans. While some Democrats want to focus on economic measures, others say it’s more important to help underrepresented groups, like transgender people.
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Many people are talking about how to find a balance between making sure sports are fair and protecting the rights and respect of transgender people as the conversation goes on. The governor’s attitude could affect what the legislature does in the future and how the Democratic Party talks about LGBTQ+ rights in general.
