California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing backlash from LGBTQ groups after making comments about transgender athletes in women’s sports. During an episode of his new podcast, Newsom stated that he believed transgender girls and women competing in female sports leagues is “deeply unfair,” marking a significant departure from the stance typically held by Democratic leadership.
Newsom, who has a long history of supporting LGBTQ rights—famously issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004 as San Francisco Mayor—made the comments on his podcast “This Is Gavin Newsom,” which promises to tackle difficult issues. This statement has quickly sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it undermines his past advocacy for the LGBTQ community.
The Governor’s comments come amid rising tension within the Democratic Party over how to address transgender rights, especially as public opinion shifts. Recent polls, including a January New York Times/Ipsos survey, show that a significant portion of the American public, including 67% of Democrats, believe transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports. The debate over transgender athletes is gaining traction as an issue for the 2024 election, with Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, focusing on it as a central part of their campaign.
In his podcast, Newsom acknowledged that fairness is a “legitimate” concern but struggled to find common ground on the issue. “The issue of fairness is completely legit,” he said. He also pointed out the importance of addressing the issue with decency, while acknowledging the growing public unease around transgender athletes competing in women’s leagues.
The Governor’s comments were met with criticism from LGBTQ rights advocates, including California’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, which expressed frustration over his stance. Chris Ward, a Democratic Assemblymember and chair of the caucus, said Newsom’s comments could cost the party support, especially among the LGBTQ community. “I see this as a net loss,” he stated, suggesting that Democrats need to rethink how they discuss these issues rather than change their position.
Meanwhile, Republican strategists have supported Newsom’s comments, arguing that Democrats are out of step with the majority of Americans on the issue. Rob Stutzman, a California Republican strategist, said Newsom’s podcast marked a political shift but agreed with his position on transgender athletes, adding, “Democrats are on the wrong end of an 80/20 issue when it comes to this.”
Newsom’s comments come as a growing number of Democratic politicians, including Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, have begun to acknowledge that the party may need to reassess its stance on transgender rights in sports. Moulton, who previously faced backlash for similar remarks, praised Newsom’s statements as a sign that Democrats should “get real” about the issue and listen to public concerns.
Despite the criticism from some factions of his party, Newsom remains firm in his broader stance on transgender rights, maintaining that fairness, dignity, and respect should guide decisions regarding transgender athletes. His office issued a statement clarifying that he rejects attempts by right-wing groups to use the debate to “vilify individual kids.”
As the 2028 presidential election approaches, Newsom’s position on transgender rights may continue to evolve, and the debate over transgender athletes is expected to be a key issue in the broader political landscape.
