By California Governor Gavin Newsom has built a reputation for challenging political norms, particularly on social issues. As San Francisco’s mayor, he defied legal precedent in 2004 by authorizing same-sex marriage licenses years before California voters approved a ban. Now, nearly two decades later, he has once again taken a stance that diverges from mainstream Democratic orthodoxy.
This time standing with the huge majority of the population while his party obsesses over the “20” on an “80-20” issue.
During a recent episode of his podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom,” the governor described the inclusion of transgender women in female sports leagues as “deeply unfair,” reported Axios. His remarks make him the most high-profile Democrat to publicly question trans participation in women’s athletics—an issue that played a key role in the 2024 presidential election and could shape future political contests.
Acknowledging the complexity of the issue, Newsom stated, “The issue of fairness is completely legit. And we’ve got to own that. We’ve got to acknowledge it.” While reiterating his commitment to transgender rights, he argued that Democrats cannot simply dismiss public concerns but must instead engage in meaningful dialogue.
He’s not wrong.
CNN writes that Democrats have spent the last several years pushing back on a wave of anti-transgender bills and rhetoric led by Republicans, including Donald Trump, who made banning transgender athletes from women’s sports a key part of his 2024 campaign.
Most Democrats have been steadfast in their opposition to restricting or rolling back transgender rights. But in the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss, millions in attack ads and public polling showing a majority of Americans disagree with Democrats on transgender athletes, some members of the party are acknowledging the political dilemma facing them.
A January New York Times/Ipsos poll found that 79% of Americans — including 67% of Democrats — said they believed female transgender athletes should not be allowed to play on women’s sports teams. A Pew Research poll released last month found that 66% of Americans favor laws that require transgender girls and women to play on the teams of the gender they were assigned at birth.
The same poll also found that 56% of Americans favor laws that prevent discrimination against transgender Americans.
Newsom’s comments immediately drew criticism from LGBTQ advocates, who argue that his stance legitimizes conservative narratives that undermine transgender rights. The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus condemned his remarks as calling them profoundly sick.
Despite this internal friction, national Democrats have largely maintained a unified stance against Republican-led restrictions. When Senate Republicans attempted to pass a federal ban on transgender women in female sports, nearly all Democratic senators opposed the measure, blocking the bill from moving forward.
Newsom’s position places him in a unique spot as a potential 2028 presidential contender. While he actively campaigned for President Joe Biden’s reelection, he has also sought to distinguish himself as a leader who can engage with conservative viewpoints while upholding progressive values. Following Biden’s pardoning of his son, the California governor slammed the former president, saying he was “disappointed” in the corrupt decision.
His calling out of allowing men in women’s sports perfectly embodied Newsom’s approach of trying to play both sides. While he condemned the inflammatory rhetoric of right-wing figures, he acknowledged that Democrats face challenges in addressing voter concerns. He pointed to Harris’s campaign struggles, particularly the effectiveness of attack ads highlighting her support for gender-affirming care for incarcerated individuals. “That is a 90/10 issue, not an 80/20,” he remarked, emphasizing the overwhelming opposition among voters.
Despite backlash, Newsom’s office defended his position, insisting that discussions on transgender athletes should be guided by fairness, dignity, and respect. His spokesperson also accused Republicans of exploiting the debate to target transgender individuals rather than seeking practical solutions.
Newsom has been doing his best over the past year to recover from his debate against Ron DeSantis, in which his wife threw in the towel and deflected criticism for his leadership failures that contributed to the wildfires that burned huge portions of Los Angeles.
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