In the first episode of the new podcast published on Thursday, Democratic Governor California Gavin Newsom, LGBTQ allies, decided with his party, saying that transgender athletes who play in women’s sports “are very unfair.”
“I think this is a matter of justice. I fully agree with you about it. This is a matter of justice. This is very unfair,” Newsom said at the podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom.”
Newsom comments came during a conversation with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who led the USA Turning Point conservative group and played an important role in gathering youth support for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Newsom, sometimes seen as the hope of the 2028 President, also agreed that political advertisements that injured former Vice President Kamala Harris in his president’s campaign were previous support to provide medical treatment related to gender-funded transitions funded by taxpayers for immigrants and federal detainees detained. Trump’s campaign has played his remarks back in highly circulating advertisements.
“He didn’t even react to him, which was even more powerful,” Newsom said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke at East Los Angeles College, on February 26, 2025, at Monterey Park, California.
Mario Tama/Getty Image
Newsom also appoints his own work in expanding LGBTQ rights, while referring to the current law in the state of California which allows transgender athletes to participate in school sports that reflect the sex they identified.
Newsom itself is a pioneer in expanding LGBTQ rights: In 2004, as Mayor of San Francisco, he allowed same -sex marriage to continue even though they were not permitted nationally.
He referred at that time when discussing his harmony with Kirk’s view of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
“I have become a leader in LGBTQ places, like, you know, in 2004 [I] Married to same -sex couples. And I know we have [a] difference [of] Opinions about marriage equality, and so I have been here for years, I have not taken the back seat, “Newsom said, before discussing how he heard people talk about transgender athletes.
A small pride flag collection, and transgender pride flag, April 6, 2021, at Reading, PA.
Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle through Getty Images, Files
In Podcast, Newsom also calls for mercy for transgender people, even when discussing sports problems: “There are also humility and grace. You know, that, these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression, and the way people talk to vulnerable communities are problems that I am also difficult.”
LGBTQ rights groups criticized Newsom’s statement, saying that they came in the midst of national reactions for transgender individuals and their rights.
Human Rights Campaign, the Main National LGBTQ Rights Advocacy Group, said in a statement shared on social media That with a national discussion in the legislature about limiting same -sex marriages or transgender rights, “This is not a moment to sit politely in front of authoritarian disturbing or throw people under the bus for political posture.”
“Choosing trans children to print political points will never help someone pay rent, maintain Medicaid or get a job, but that will make him look like the Governor Newsom believes our civil rights are ready to be contested,” the organization wrote. “Californians – and all Americans – need leaders who have courage in their beliefs, and that will appear for them, on the faces of people who want to see us all back into the closet.”
This organization also appointed the 2013 Law in California which allows students to become part of the sports team in accordance with their own gender identity. American Civil Freedom Union praise the law in 2013 Because “Ensuring Transgender Youth has the opportunity to participate fully and successfully in schools throughout the state.”
Newsom briefly refers to the law in discussions with Kirk, highlighting that it was passed before he became governor.
Two members of the California State Legislative Agency, AssemblyMember Chris Ward and the State Senator Caroline are flogging, released a statement Through California LGBTQ Caucus who criticized Newsom’s statement as well, saying they were “very fed up and frustrated” with what they said.
“Sometimes Gavin Newsom applies to profiles in courage, sometimes not,” they wrote. “We are built very sick and frustrated by this statement. All students deserve academic and health benefits from sports activities, and until Donald Trump began to be obsessed with that, playing in a team that is consistent with the sex of a person has not become a problem since the standard was passed in 2013.”
President Donald Trump signed the executive order of the man in the sport of women to be a law in the east room of the White House in Washington, 5 February 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP Via Getty Images
Newsom’s statement came only a month after Trump signed an executive order which intended to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. The White House said the action was intended to protect women in sports from danger and from facing the opponents they said had an unfair advantage.
LGBTQ advocacy groups have criticized general administrative actions and rhetoric as discriminatory and have a sharp focus on transgender rights issues to put aside economic problems and others.