California residents and schools have faced repeated cases of trans athletes competing in women's sports over the past few months, prompting public scrutiny. Confusion with academics, track and field, and family life. And even a lawsuit.
On Thursday, some of the affected California residents saw on his new podcast that Gov. Gavin Newsom thinks he thinks trans athletes competing in women's sports are “unfair.”
“That's very unfair,” Newsom said of trans athletes competing with girls. “There is humility and grace too. … These poor people are more likely to commit suicide, anxiety and depression, and the way people talk to vulnerable communities is a problem I struggle with.
“So, both things I can hold in my hand. How can I deal with this problem with a decency that I don't think is always expressed in this issue?”
For sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here
Fox News Digital reached out to schools and families affected by California's Trans Athlete Inclusion Policy last year for thought about Newsom's recent comments.
Stoneridge Christian School in Merced, California confiscated a playoff game against San Francisco Waldorf to the women's volleyball team in the fall due to the presence of trans athletes on Waldorf's team. It was the decision to end Stoneridge Christian's season as Newsom's policy forced the women's volleyball team into a situation where they had to refuse to play to avoid compromising their religious beliefs.
“What's really unfair is Newsom, who allows men to compete in women's sports despite acknowledging that it's unfair. It's common sense for men and women to compete in their own teams, but this is especially concerning as a religious school.”
At Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, California, the situation involving a trans athlete on a women's cross-country team was a lawsuit by two girls on the team, with several students punished for wearing “Save Girls Sports” t-shirts urging public scrutiny.
Cynthia Slavin, the mother of one of the girls who filed a lawsuit against the Riverside Unified School District, told Fox News Digital that she believes Newsom is “alliant” young biological women in his stance.
A teenage girl opened a trans athlete scandal and turned high school into a battlefield of culture war
A student at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, California, wears a t-shirt that says “save girls' sports” to protest transgender athletes on a cross-country team. (Provided by Sophia Lorey)
“Gavin Newsom says it's unfair to have boys in girls' sports. He's grateful that he also empathizes with everyone, but that's not enough. What's really unfair is that he has the power to do something about this issue.
“By not taking action or coming up with a plan, he adds to the division and tension of our state. He adds stress and mental issues not only for the “aliolated” group, but for all other girls who aren't OK with their daughter Caitlin and biological boys invading their space.
Nearby Yulpa Unified School District (JUPD) is dealing with the recent national controversy involving transfield athletes from Julpa Valley High School (JUVHS) who dominate their female opponents by surpriseing amazing margins in triple jumps this season.
Jaspriya Singh, a former Juvhs athlete and sister and a sister to the current athletes of the women's cross country team, laments the situation Newsom has allowed.
Democrat voters abandon the party after the AOC, Jeffries says anti-trans athletes will empower sexual predators
“My sister has been tirelessly trained in athletics and has dedicated countless hours to improve her performance. When she is forced to compete with biological men, it creates an unfair arena that undermines her hard work and opportunity.
“This isn't just about sports. It's about ensuring the same opportunity for girls to realize their dreams without unfair disadvantages. That's why it's so important to fight for policies that truly maintain women's sport for women.”
The JUPD teacher told Fox News Digital on terms of anonymity that Newsom was not authentic in his latest comments.
How transgenderism in sports changed the 2024 election and sparked national counterculture
“As a Southern California teacher, I don't believe or trust Gavin Newsom's sudden change in attitude towards transgender athletes in women's sports,” the teacher said.
“For many years he has supported policies that force schools to adhere to inclusion rules and to ignore the concerns of female athletes, parents and educators. Now in his conversation with Charlie Kirk, he claims he sees injustice in this?
“It's hard to take seriously when his policies allow and enforce the very very things he's asking about right now. If he really cares about the fairness of the sport, he will not only shift his rhetoric when it's politically convenient, but he will take real action.”
Former Jupd teacher Jessica Tapia claims she was fired by the district for her stance on the issue, saying the issue is driving good teachers from California schools.
California Governor Gavin Newsom will pause on March 2, 2021 at a press conference after a tour of Baron Park Elementary School in Palo Alto, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“Even so, to this day, it's hard to wrap my heart around what happened. We're losing good teachers for the true protection of teachers and students fighting the truth, who have lost how harmful gender ideology is,” Tapia told Fox News Digital.
Sonja Shaw, chairman of the Chino Valley Unified School District, told Fox News Digital that her district is using a girl's locker room to handle multiple reported cases of biological men and calling them “weak” to allow it.
“You saw it. You obviously know about it, and you haven't done anything, and do you need it with you and with you to acknowledge it? That's not what a leader does,” Shaw said.
Click here to get the Fox News app
“Now we have a lot of confusion. We think our parents think their girls are safe, until their daughter meets the boys in the field, in the pool or in the locker room or in the toilet.
Amber French, a Division I swimmer at California Baptist University, has witnessed multiple incidents of trans athletes competing with young women in her state and is urging Newsom to take action on it.
“Every year, we have another man who plays women's sports and takes away our opportunities. Please note that it's never the other way around. Gavin Newsom admits inequity, but he hasn't done anything to protect female athletes in California,” France told Fox News Digital.
“Gov. Newsom actually does something about the injustice he acknowledges. The same decency he claims should be applied 100 times more to women, and protecting the locker room and opportunity.”
Riverside trans athlete supporter Kyle Harp hears discussions outside the Riverside Unified School District Meeting on December 19, 2024, as “Save Girls Sports” supporter Lori Lopez and her father, Riverside Pete Pickering. (Allen J. Scheven/Los Angeles Times)
The state has previously refused to comply with President Donald Trump's executive order to keep biological men out of women's sports since it was signed on February 5, putting potential losses in federal education funds.
The California Interstate Federation (CIF) is investigating the U.S. Department of Education for potential Title IX violations related to the issue.
“The CIF provides students with the opportunity to belong, connect and compete in education-based experiences in accordance with California law (Education Code Section 221.5. (f)). It allows students to participate in school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions that match the student's gender identity.
Fox News Digital has contacted CIF about its response to Newsom's latest comments.
Follow Fox News Digital's Sports Coverage on X and subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
