Newsom calls biological men in women’s sports ‘deeply unfair’ in podcast with conservative activist

An Unexpected Alliance: Gavin Newsom and Charlie Kirk Find Common Ground on Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports

In a surprising turn of events, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent liberal leader often speculated to be eyeing a 2028 presidential run, found himself in agreement with conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a recent podcast interview. The topic that brought these two political opposites together? The contentious issue of biological men competing in women’s sports. Newsom, known for his progressive stance on many issues, acknowledged that allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports could be "deeply unfair," a position that aligned him with Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, during their conversation on Newsom’s new podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom."

Kirk, a vocal advocate for conservative causes, pressed Newsom on the issue, citing the example of a transgender track athlete who recently won a long jump competition at Jurupa Valley High School in Southern California with a remarkable 40-foot jump, overshadowing female competitors. Kirk urged Newsom to take a stand against such scenarios, asking if the governor would explicitly oppose biological males competing in female sports. Newsom, while not directly addressing the specific incident, agreed that the issue was one of fairness, stating, "I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It’s deeply unfair."

California’s History of Supporting Transgender Rights and the Current Debate

The conversation highlighted the tension between California’s long-standing support for transgender rights and the growing debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. California has been at the forefront of transgender rights for over a decade, with laws such as AB 1266, the School Success and Opportunity Act, signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown in 2013, allowing transgender students to participate in sports and use facilities that align with their gender identity. Newsom continued this legacy by signing Senate Bill 132, the Transgender Respect, Agency and Dignity Act, in 2020, which expanded protections for transgender individuals in the criminal justice system.

However, the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports has become a flashpoint in American politics, with many conservatives arguing that it undermines fairness for female athletes and liberals often countering that inclusion is a matter of equality and human rights. Newsom acknowledged the complexity of the issue, expressing empathy for the transgender community while also recognizing the concerns of those who believe biological males have an unfair advantage in women’s sports. "How can we address this issue with the kind of decency that I think you know is inherent in you, but not always expressed on the issue?" Newsom asked Kirk, calling for a balanced approach.

The Incident at Jurupa Valley High School and Its Aftermath

The recent victory of AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete at Jurupa Valley High School, brought the issue into sharp focus. Hernandez won an invitational meet on February 22, with a 40-foot jump in the long event, surpassing the second-place finisher, a female athlete who jumped just over 32 feet. Hernandez also took first place in two other events at the meet, sparking debate about the fairness of allowing transgender athletes to compete against cisgender female athletes.

Kirk used this incident to challenge Newsom, questioning whether the governor would speak out against such situations. Newsom declined to directly condemn Hernandez’s victory but reiterated his belief that the issue was rooted in fairness. He also emphasized the need to approach the topic with compassion, noting that transgender individuals often face elevated rates of suicide, anxiety, and depression. "These poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression, and the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well," Newsom said.

The Broader Political Implications of the Debate

The discussion between Newsom and Kirk took place against a backdrop of heightened political tension over transgender issues. Last month, Senate Democrats unanimously opposed a bill that would have banned transgender women from competing in women’s sports nationwide. The bill, which failed to secure the necessary 60 votes in the Senate, reflected the deepening divide between the two parties on the issue. Similarly, former President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," which argued that allowing transgender athletes in women’s sports is "demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls."

Newsom acknowledged that the Democratic Party is "getting crushed on" the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports, a concession that Kirk seized upon to argue that Democrats need to adopt more moderate positions on such matters to regain favor with young voters. Kirk advised Newsom to "get better ideas" if Democrats hope to make inroads with the younger generation, which has become increasingly divided on the issue.

Balancing Fairness and Compassion in the Transgender Athlete Debate

The exchange between Newsom and Kirk underscored the difficulty of navigating the transgender athlete debate, which pits concerns about fairness in sports against the need to protect the rights and dignity of transgender individuals. While Newsom expressed empathy for the transgender community, he also acknowledged the concerns of those who argue that biological males have an inherent advantage in women’s sports. "Both things I can hold in my hand," Newsom said, reflecting the complexity of the issue.

Kirk, on the other hand, pushed for a clearer stance, urging Newsom to call out specific incidents, like Hernandez’s victory, as unfair while still advocating for compassion. "You, as the governor, should step out and say no. Would you do something like that?