A bill aimed at restricting transgender students’ access to sex-segregated programs and facilities based on biological sex has been defeated in the California Legislature, just as Governor Gavin Newsom’s comments on the fairness of biological men competing in women’s sports sparked widespread controversy.
Assembly Bill 844, authored by former Assemblyman Bill Essayli, sought to mandate that students use facilities like sports teams and locker rooms according to their biological sex, not gender identity.
Essayli argued that allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports is unfair and potentially dangerous, citing concerns about privacy and fairness in competition.
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“California’s current policy allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports and access female locker rooms is not only unfair — it’s dangerous,” Essayli stated. “It violates the privacy of our students, robs female athletes of their hard-earned opportunities and undermines the very intent of Title IX.”
However, the bill faced strong opposition from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and other Democrats, who argued it would discriminate against transgender students and create a hostile environment. Equality California argued that the bill would prohibit transgender students from participating in sports, even after years of living consistently with their gender identity.
The bill failed at its first committee vote, with only two Republican members supporting it. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas abstained, and other Democrats voted against the legislation.
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Adding fuel to the fire, Governor Newsom, during a recent podcast appearance with conservative host Charlie Kirk, acknowledged the fairness concerns surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports. “Well, I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that … it’s deeply unfair,” Newsom said.
However, during a subsequent press conference, Newsom downplayed the bill’s significance, stating that the state faces “a myriad” of other issues.
“This is not where all my energy flows. You’re talking about a very small number of people,” Newsom said. Despite this, he expressed openness to future discussions on finding a balance.
Newsom’s comments on fairness clash with his administration’s track record of supporting policies that blur gender lines in female-only spaces. He has signed legislation that allows male inmates who identify as female to transfer to women’s prisons, banned schools from requiring parental notification for gender transitions, and championed bills that designate California as a “sanctuary” for transgender youth.
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The governor’s remarks have drawn criticism from both sides. LGBTQ+ advocates accused him of being “anti-transgender,” while Republicans, like Essayli, called his words “empty rhetoric” without legislative action.
Newsom’s attempt to navigate the issue of transgender rights versus biological gender rights has left many questioning his consistency.
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