In a surprising turn of events, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential contender for the 2028 presidential election, expressed his views on transgender athletes during the inaugural episode of his new podcast, This Is Gavin Newsom. Released on Thursday, the episode featured an unexpected dialogue with right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk, which has ignited discussions surrounding transgender rights and sports.
During the podcast, Newsom stated that it is “deeply unfair” to allow transgender girls and women to compete in women’s sports, a position that diverges from the beliefs of many of his fellow Democrats. This shift in rhetoric is noteworthy, especially considering Newsom's history as a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, famously allowing same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses during his tenure as the mayor of San Francisco in 2004.
As he discussed the challenges facing the Democratic Party, Newsom engaged Kirk—whose organization, Turning Point USA, has been influential in rallying young voters for the Republican Party—regarding the party's failures. Kirk seized the opportunity to highlight a recent incident involving a transgender athlete in a California high school triple jump event, pushing Newsom to consider a more moderate stance. “Run to the middle,” Kirk urged, suggesting that Newsom should publicly reject the notion of transgender athletes winning in female sports.
Newsom responded affirmatively to Kirk’s comments, stating, “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.” However, he emphasized that the conversation must extend beyond just fairness, acknowledging the high rates of suicide, anxiety, and depression faced by transgender individuals. “That’s easy to call out — the unfairness of that,” he said, advocating for a balanced approach that includes “humility and grace” in discussions about vulnerable communities.
Newsom's remarks come in light of shifting public opinion regarding transgender athletes. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans support some level of restrictions on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. A Pew Research Center survey showed that 66 percent of respondents favored policies requiring trans athletes to compete based on their sex assigned at birth, a notable increase from 58 percent in 2022.
Such comments drew immediate backlash from various quarters, including California State Senator Scott Wiener, who criticized Newsom's stance, asserting that this moment does not reflect his previously courageous advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus also released a statement expressing their disappointment, declaring, “All students deserve the academic and health benefits of sports activity.”
Throughout the podcast, Newsom sought to navigate the cultural landscape by addressing topics that resonate with moderate voters. He dismissed the use of the term "Latinx," distanced himself from pronoun introductions, and labeled the push to defund the police as "lunacy." Furthermore, he critiqued cancel culture and acknowledged the effectiveness of a Trump campaign advertisement targeting Vice President Kamala Harris on gender-affirming care, calling it "brilliant" and "devastating." He suggested that Harris erred in not responding to the ad, estimating that “90 percent of Americans” oppose her position on the issue.
In a bid to foster respectful dialogue, Newsom stated that the purpose of his podcast is to engage with individuals holding opposing views while promoting understanding. He challenged Kirk's focus on cultural issues, questioning why they dominate the conversation. “I had one meeting where people started going around the table saying their pronouns. One,” he remarked, emphasizing the need to prioritize other pressing matters.
Governor Gavin Newsom's comments on transgender athletes in women's sports represent a significant pivot in his political positioning as he prepares for potential future battles within the Democratic Party and beyond. As discussions around transgender rights and sports continue to evolve, this episode of "This Is Gavin Newsom" may serve as a crucial moment for both Newsom and the broader political landscape as they grapple with the complexities of fairness, rights, and public opinion.
