Newsom’s Transgender Sports Stance Shocks Liberals: A Fairness Debate Ignites
California Governor Gavin Newsom called transgender athletes competing in women's sports "deeply unfair" on his new podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom," launched March 6, 2025.
The statement came during a conversation with conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, marking a notable shift from Newsom’s long-standing progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
Newsom referenced AB Hernandez, a transgender high school athlete dominating girls’ track events in California, as a backdrop to the fairness debate.
The comments have split reactions: some liberals decry it as a betrayal, while others see it as a pragmatic nod to public sentiment amid Democratic Party reassessment.
Newsom’s son’s admiration for Kirk adds a personal twist, hinting at shifting cultural influences among younger generations.
On March 6, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democrat with a history of championing progressive causes, stunned his liberal base by declaring transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports “deeply unfair.” The remark, delivered during the premiere episode of his podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom," in a discussion with conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, has ignited a fierce debate over fairness, identity, and political strategy. Known for officiating same-sex weddings as San Francisco mayor in 2004 and establishing California as a sanctuary for transgender youth, Newsom’s shift has left supporters reeling and opponents intrigued.
The Podcast and the Provocateur
Newsom’s choice of Charlie Kirk as his inaugural guest raised eyebrows from the start. Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, is a vocal conservative with a significant following among young right-wing voters. His platform has long criticized transgender participation in sports, aligning with President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders restricting such involvement under Title IX. The 81-minute podcast, intended to bridge political divides, saw Kirk press Newsom on the issue, citing AB Hernandez—a transgender junior at Jurupa Valley High School who has dominated girls’ track events, including a 40-foot triple jump at the Ontario Relays on February 22, 2025, outpacing competitors by nearly eight feet.
Newsom’s response was unequivocal: “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.” While he avoided directly naming Hernandez, his stance echoed Kirk’s framing, marking a departure from the Democratic Party’s typical support for transgender inclusion in sports aligned with gender identity.
A Case Study in Controversy: AB Hernandez
AB Hernandez has become a lightning rod in this debate. his victories—such as the Roosevelt Invitational, where he won the long jump by nearly two feet and the triple jump by three feet—have drawn both admiration and ire. Conservative outlets have highlighted his performances as evidence of an unfair advantage, while advocates argue his participation reflects rightful inclusion under California law, which mandates that schools allow transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity. Newsom’s comments thrust Hernandez’s story into a broader political spotlight, amplifying the tension between fairness and equity.
Political Context and Party Reckoning
The timing of Newsom’s statement is significant. Following the Democrats’ electoral losses in 2024, party leaders are grappling with cultural issues that may have alienated voters. Trump’s campaign capitalized on transgender rights, spending millions on ads attacking Kamala Harris for supporting policies like taxpayer-funded sex changes for prisoners. Newsom himself called one such ad “devastating,” noting Harris’s lack of response as a missed opportunity. His podcast remarks suggest a strategic recalibration, aligning with polls showing 67% of Democrats (and 94% of Republicans) oppose transgender women in women’s sports, per a January 2025 New York Times/Ipsos survey.
Backlash and Support
The reaction was swift and polarized. Progressive lawmakers and LGBTQ+ advocates condemned Newsom’s stance as a betrayal. State Senator Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, labeled Kirk a “vile bigot” and called Newsom’s alignment “profoundly disturbing,” pointing to his past “courageous” support for the community. Equality California and the Human Rights Campaign echoed this sentiment, warning that Newsom’s words bolster anti-trans narratives at a time when transgender rights face nationwide rollbacks.
Conversely, some see his position as a pragmatic acknowledgment of public sentiment. Assemblymember Chris Ward suggested a nuanced approach, noting Newsom’s attempt to balance fairness with empathy for transgender mental health struggles, such as higher rates of suicide and depression. On X, users speculated Newsom is moderating his image for a potential 2028 presidential run, with posts calling it a “flip-flop” or a “step in the right direction,” though skepticism about his sincerity abounds.
A Personal Twist
Adding a human layer, Newsom revealed his 13-year-old son, Hunter, is a “huge fan” of Kirk, even begging to skip school to meet him during the recording. Kirk quipped about Newsom’s COVID-19 school closures, but the anecdote hints at a generational shift in political influence that may be shaping Newsom’s outreach. It underscores how even liberal households are not immune to conservative voices, complicating the cultural landscape.
Broader Implications
Newsom’s comments come days after Senate Democrats blocked a bill on March 3, 2025, to ban transgender women from federally funded women’s sports teams, a measure failing 51-45. In California, Republican efforts to repeal transgender sports policies face an uphill battle in the Democrat-dominated legislature. Yet Newsom’s stance could signal a turning point, challenging party orthodoxy as Democrats navigate their post-2024 identity.
Conclusion
Gavin Newsom’s declaration on transgender athletes has thrust him into a maelstrom of praise, criticism, and speculation. By agreeing with Charlie Kirk that such participation is “deeply unfair,” he has both alienated allies and courted a broader audience, all while spotlighting AB Hernandez’s polarizing success. Whether this reflects genuine conviction or political calculus for 2028 remains debated, but one thing is clear: the fairness question in women’s sports is far from settled, and Newsom has ensured California remains at its epicenter.