For years, California Governor Gavin Newsom has been heralded as a champion of LGBTQ+ rights. He made national headlines in 2004 when, as mayor of San Francisco, he defied state law by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples—an act of defiance that laid the groundwork for the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage. However, it appears that Newsom is now positioning himself for a potential presidential run, joining the growing group of Democratic politicians who are willing to disregard the transgender community for political gain.
On the debut episode of his new podcast, This Is Gavin Newsom, the California governor sat down with conservative provocateur Charlie Kirk, a key figure in the MAGA movement and an outspoken critic of transgender rights. During the 75-minute conversation, Newsom shocked many by agreeing with Kirk’s stance that allowing transgender girls to compete in female youth sports is “deeply unfair.”
“I think it’s an issue of fairness; I completely agree with you on that,” Newsom said. “It is an issue of fairness—it’s deeply unfair.”
This statement, coming from a Democratic leader who has historically been considered an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, is both disappointing and revealing. It underscores a harsh reality that many in the transgender community have warned about: for many politicians, support for transgender rights is less about genuine belief in equality and more about securing votes. As the political landscape changes, so does their purported support for transgender rights.
Political Convenience Over Principle
The timing of Newsom’s remarks is notable. With President Biden’s approval ratings faltering and the Democratic Party searching for a viable candidate in 2028, Newsom appears to be repositioning himself toward a more centrist stance, likely to appeal to moderate and conservative voters. He went so far as to acknowledge that Republicans are successfully using the issue of transgender athletes to politically hammer Democrats.
“I saw that—the last couple years, boy did I [see] how you guys were able to weaponize that issue at another level,” Newsom admitted.
Kirk quickly challenged him on the use of the word “weaponize,” leading Newsom to rephrase, saying Republicans had successfully “highlighted” the issue. The governor’s willingness to adapt his language to please a far-right ideologue is alarming and signals a disturbing trend of Democrats pandering to anti-trans narratives rather than standing firm in their support of transgender rights.
The AB Hernandez Case: Manufactured Outrage
Kirk specifically pressed Newsom on AB Hernandez, a transgender high school track and field athlete in California who has been the latest target of right-wing attacks. Hernandez’s participation in a triple jump competition has been framed as evidence that transgender girls are dominating girls’ sports. However, the actual California high school record in the girls’ triple jump event—a record set by Tierra Crockrell at 42 feet, 4.5 inches in 2019—remains unchallenged. Hernandez’s performance at a single meet does not prove transgender dominance in high school sports. Instead, it serves as yet another example of how conservatives cherry-pick isolated cases to push policies that aim to ban all transgender athletes from competing.
If fairness were truly the issue, why aren’t conservatives calling for bans on exceptionally tall female basketball players or unusually strong female weightlifters? The reality is that this argument is not about fairness—it is about exclusion. And now, a prominent Democratic leader has given credence to that exclusionary rhetoric.
The Broader Political Strategy
Newsom’s remarks also touched on how transgender rights were used as a wedge issue in the 2024 election. He admitted that the Trump campaign’s attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris—specifically targeting her support for gender-affirming healthcare for incarcerated individuals—were politically effective.
“She didn’t even react to it, which was even more devastating,” Newsom said. “It was a great ad.”
The fact that Newsom would describe a Republican attack ad—one that fueled misinformation and fear-mongering about transgender healthcare—as “great” is not only disheartening but also dangerous. By validating Republican campaign strategies that rely on demonizing transgender people, he is actively contributing to the erosion of transgender rights in America.
Abandoning Trans People for Political Gain
Newsom’s shift is part of a broader trend of Democrats backing away from firm support of transgender rights when it becomes politically inconvenient. We saw this with Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who claimed that transgender policies hurt Democrats electorally, and with former President Barack Obama, who recently suggested that Democrats should reconsider their messaging on social issues like transgender rights.
Although Newsom acknowledged the challenges faced by transgender individuals, such as increased rates of suicide, anxiety, and depression, his remarks ultimately caused more harm than good. The governor failed to push back when Kirk repeatedly misgendered trans girls as “young men.” He failed to defend transgender athletes in any meaningful way. And most disappointingly, he failed to stand by the values that he once championed.
RELATED: Transgender Advocates Respond to Rep. Moulton’s Stance
The Bottom Line
Newsom’s comments serve as a stark reminder that political allies can quickly become political opportunists. Despite many Democrats claiming to support transgender rights, their actions—or inactions—have a greater impact than their words. The transgender community, their families, and true allies must remain vigilant and continue holding politicians accountable, ensuring that support for transgender rights is based on principle, not polling numbers.
As we move forward, it’s critical to focus on the facts and push back against fear-mongering. The reality is that transgender athletes are not taking over girls’ sports. One athlete’s performance at a single track meet does not justify a nationwide rollback of transgender rights. And no matter how much certain politicians may try to frame it otherwise, inclusion and fairness are not mutually exclusive.
Gavin Newsom’s betrayal may be disappointing, but it is not surprising. For those who truly stand with the transgender community, the lesson here is clear: never place blind trust in politicians. Support must be earned, and it must be unwavering. The fight for equality continues, and it is up to us to ensure that no one—regardless of political ambition—uses our rights as bargaining chips.
