• Governor Gavin Newsom called it “deeply unfair” for biological males to compete in girls’ sports, sparking bipartisan debates.
• Republicans urge support for AB 89, restricting athletes assigned male at birth from girls’ sports.
• Newsom’s remarks face backlash from Democratic lawmakers and LGBTQ advocates, fueling the controversy.

California Governor Gavin Newsom surprised many by declaring it “deeply unfair” for biological males to compete against female athletes, sparking hope among state Republicans for bipartisan support of their girls’ sports bill. The statement from Newsom, made during an interview with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has added fuel to an already heated debate over transgender participation in female sports.

Republicans Urge Newsom to Support AB 89

Republican Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez introduced Assembly Bill 89 (AB 89), also called the Protect Girls’ Sports Act, in January. The bill seeks to prohibit athletes whose sex was assigned male at birth from competing on girls’ interscholastic sports teams. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher urged the governor to act on his recent remarks, stating, “It’s not a radical position to believe that men have an unfair advantage against high school girls in sports. It’s common sense.”

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Gallagher emphasized that Newsom must “back up his words with action” by supporting the legislation. Failure to do so, he said, would showcase “nothing but more empty talk from the governor.”

Newsom’s Remarks Spark Backlash

Newsom’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from several Democratic legislators and LGBTQ advocates. The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus issued a statement expressing frustration, saying, “We woke up profoundly sickened and frustrated by these remarks.” The caucus further argued that transgender athletes competing in alignment with their gender identity has not been an issue since the standard was implemented in 2013.

Moreover, Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener criticized Newsom, claiming this was not one of his “courageous moments” on LGBTQ rights. Wiener also condemned Charlie Kirk, calling him a “vile bigot” and labeling the governor’s decision to voice his stance on Kirk’s platform as “profoundly disturbing.”

Transgender Athletes in the Spotlight

While LGBTQ advocates argue that transgender athletes are rare in girls’ sports, the state has seen notable cases that have raised concerns. For instance, A.B. Hernandez, a biological male identifying as female, dominated recent girls’ track-and-field events. Hernandez set a state record in the high jump and outperformed the second-place finisher in the triple jump by an impressive eight feet. Such instances have escalated debates about fairness in athletic competition and added urgency to the conversation around AB 89.

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Meanwhile, the California Interscholastic Federation has stated it will continue allowing students to compete based on gender identity, which has prompted the Department of Education to launch a Title IX investigation into the matter.

Broader Implications for Democrats

Governor Newsom’s break from traditional Democratic positions comes at a pivotal time. During his remarks, he acknowledged that Democrats are “getting crushed” on the issue of transgender athletes in female sports. This divide could have broader implications for the Democratic Party, especially as the 2024 elections approach.

Republican leaders hope Newsom’s comments indicate a shift toward bipartisanship on this issue, with Sanchez calling on Democrats to support AB 89. She tweeted, “As @GavinNewsom realizes, this isn’t an LGBTQ issue. PERIOD. This is about fairness in girls’ sports.”

However, Democratic legislators remain unconvinced, leaving the fate of AB 89 uncertain.

Share Your Thoughts

What do you think about Governor Newsom’s stance and AB 89? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget to share this article from The Dupree Report with your friends and followers to spread awareness about this critical issue.

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