Statement on Governor Newsom’s Comments on Transgender Student Athletes
SACRAMENTO—Please attribute the following statement to David Trujillo, executive director at ACLU California Action, in response to comments made by Governor Newsom on transgender student athletes on his podcast:
“We are saddened and angered by Governor Newsom’s comments about transgender youth participation in sports. In a moment when we need our elected officials to stand by the courage of their convictions, the Governor’s comments are hurtful, and more importantly, they are out of touch with our shared values as Californians.
In recent years, the California Legislature has acted to ensure that California is a safe place for trans people by directing resources toward wellness and equity for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex communities, improving access to legal name changes and updated identification documents, and protecting students from forced outings, as well as affirming that all students may access school facilities and activities based on their gender identity.
Governor Newsom has previously been a champion of LGBTQ+ rights, which makes his comments even more shocking and disappointing. Fearmongering about transgender student-athletes is part of a broader nationwide effort by extremist politicians to exert more control over our bodies, families, and lives. At a moment when our trans loved ones are under attack, Governor Newsom should be uplifting and enforcing the protections transgender individuals, and transgender youth in particular, have in our state.
We call on Governor Newsom to lean into his role as a leader on LGBTQ+ issues and reject the hateful, extremist rhetoric. We need all our elected officials in California to uphold our shared values and stand with our transgender community.”