Newsom says sharing his beliefs on trans athletes wasn't "some grand design"
Briefly

California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent comments on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports have drawn significant backlash from both conservatives and progressives. During an interview on a podcast, he expressed his belief that it is unfair for transgender athletes to compete in women's sports, citing a specific instance involving a high school athlete. His statements were unplanned and emerged organically during a discussion with conservative Charlie Kirk. Following the backlash, Newsom clarified that his views, while personally held, were not intended as a political statement, and acknowledged the dissent from within his own party and the LGBTQ+ community.
"And then asked me, 'Tell me, that's not fair?' And I looked at him, I said, 'You're right. That's not,'" Newsom explained regarding his comments.
"This was not some grand design. And I know that hurt a lot of people. But respectfully, I just disagree with those on the other side of this," Newsom stated.
"From a political standpoint, I get it. But from a human standpoint, it’s not fair. Those are the moments that force you to reconsider everything," Newsom reflected.
"Those in the LGBTQ+ community felt betrayed by a governor they once viewed as an ally, raising concerns over his commitment to minority rights," said State Sen. Scott Wiener.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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