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California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing criticism following remarks made during the launch of his new podcast, which he has branded as an initiative to foster open dialogue across political divides. On Thursday, during the inaugural episode of “This is Gavin Newsom,” he stated that it is “deeply unfair” to allow transgender women to compete in women’s sports. This assertion marks a notable shift for Newsom, who previously gained recognition for his support of LGBTQ+ rights, including issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as the mayor of San Francisco in 2004.
In the episode, conducted with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, discussions turned towards the participation of transgender athletes in athletics. The dialogue was sparked by the mention of a recent incident involving a high school transgender athlete in California, who made headlines after winning a girls’ triple jump event.
“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 expressed during the conversation, directing attention to the complexities surrounding such topics.
Further along in their discussion, Newsom addressed a campaign advertisement from Donald Trump, which targeted Vice President Kamala Harris regarding her support for gender-affirming care in prisons. His comments indicated disapproval over Harris’s lack of a response to the ad, stating, “She didn’t even react to it, which was even more devastating.”
The backlash to Newsom’s podcast launch was swift, particularly from members of his own party. The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus released a statement condemning his remarks as “anti-transgender,” highlighting the disconnect between his comments and his past advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Jointly, Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego) and state Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-Burbank) expressed their disappointment, stating, “Sometimes Gavin Newsom goes for the Profile in Courage, sometimes not. We woke up profoundly sickened and frustrated by these remarks.”
Equality California, a prominent LGBTQ+ rights organization, also voiced their discontent, calling Newsom’s remarks “disappointing and angering” and emphasizing the detrimental effect of such statements amid ongoing attacks on transgender rights throughout the nation.
Despite the controversy, Newsom continues to promote the podcast through his social media channels, sharing moments from his conversation with Kirk, including a post with the caption, “We had quite the chat!”
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