SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom raised eyebrows this week with his remarks about trans athletes competing in women’s sport. Speaking to conservative influencer Charlie Kirk on the inaugural episode of his podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” the governor called it “deeply unfair” for transgender athletes to compete in women’s and girls’ sports.
Newsom’s remarks have been condemned by several members of his own party.
“Sometimes Gavin Newsom goes for the Profile in Courage, sometimes not,” said California Assemblyman Chris Ward and State Sen. Carolina Menjivar, who head California’s LGBTQ legislative caucus. “We woke up profoundly sickened and frustrated by these remarks.”
The remarks also drew a sharp rebuke from State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).
“The Governor has had many courageous moments over the decades supporting LGBTQ people, including helping turbo-charge the marriage equality movement, protecting LGBTQ kids against forced outing and criminalization, and protecting trans people from criminalization in other states. He has taken significant political hits for doing so. I and so many will be forever grateful for that courage.”
“This is not one of those moments,” Wiener continued. “Charlie Kirk is a vile bigot, and standing with him on this issue is profoundly disturbing.”
Wiener went on to slam “the Republican strategy to eliminate trans people” as creating “false moral panics — to falsely paint trans people as threats.”
The idea of trans athletes being a threat to women’s sports is one that has been widely circulated in rightwing media circles. Yet, as Wiener pointed out in his statement, the NCAA is aware of fewer than 10 trans athletes currently competing in college sports.
Newsom, it should be noted, is widely tipped to be considering a Democratic presidential run in 2028.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom raised eyebrows this week with his remarks about trans athletes competing in women’s sport. Speaking to conservative influencer Charlie Kirk on the inaugural episode of his podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” the governor called it “deeply unfair” for transgender athletes to compete in women’s and girls’ sports. […]
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