1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Governor Newsom’s recent anti-trans statements around transgender women in gendered sports and transgender healthcare are deeply concerning. His support for anti LGBTQ+ claims made by Charlie Kirk is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in Californian politics. The statements he agreed with include, but are not limited to, that transgender healthcare is “butchery,” how transgender women should be banned from and have a so-called “unfair advantage” in women’s sports—despite all studies and empirical evidence showing otherwise—and how transgender minors should not have access to necessary medical care. This is not okay. These views actively harm and contribute to the ostracization of transgender people and are easily debunked by empirical evidence found in studies and agreed upon by the majority of medical health professionals within the field. It is extremely harmful to not only platform someone like Charlie Kirk with viciously hateful beliefs” who has actively called for the murder of transgender women” but also to agree with and champion his talking points. It is not okay to compromise on or agree with the removal of basic human rights from a marginalized population. This contradicts everything that Governor Newsom and California as a state is supposed to stand for. If California is going to remain a stronghold against the Trump administration and speak up for our minority communities. It is crucial that Governor Newsom reconsiders his stance and takes action to protect transgender rights within California.