This article is part of “Reality Check,” a series that fact-checks topics related to the LGBTQ+ community. Need some fact-checking? Email editor@advocate.com.
This week ezra klein show, Podcast hosted by New York Times, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he has signed more pro-trans legislation than any other governor.
“I want to meet transgender children,” said Newsom, a Democrat. “I have a transgender godson. No governor has signed more pro-trans legislation than I have. No one has been a stronger advocate for the LGBTQ community.”
His statements regarding pro-transgender legislation are likely true, especially given the volume of such bills in California.
Related: California Governor Newsom is considering running for president. Here’s his LGBTQ+ rights record
Not all states track laws in this way, and most national groups do so by state, but not by governor. But based on LGBTQ+ groups equality california In addition to our database of laws we have supported, defendereSince taking office in 2019, Newsom has signed 47 LGBTQ+-friendly bills, 21 of which specifically benefit transgender people, according to a report. Most LGBTQ+-leaning bills in general also benefit transgender people.
Particularly transgender-friendly bills include one that would make California a sanctuary for out-of-state youth and their families seeking gender-affirming care. Preventing teachers from forcibly removing trans students from their families. Several ways to address name and gender changes in official documents, either to simplify the process, guarantee usage, or maintain confidentiality. The other would require single-person restrooms to be labeled as all-gender.
He vetoed some pro-trans bills this year, including one that would have required gender inclusiveness in health education classes. He said legislation should wait until the state’s study of the health curriculum is complete.
Related: 10 states that passed pro-LGBTQ+ bills or rejected the most anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2025
Other Democratic governors have also been deeply supportive of transgender people, including Colorado’s Jared Polis, Illinois’ JB Pritzker, Massachusetts’ Maura Healey, Oregon’s Tina Kotek, Maine’s Janet Mills, Wisconsin’s Tony Evers, Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota’s Tim Walz, Kentucky’s Andy Beshear, and Kansas’ Laura Kelly. — There are a few others. While some states have signed pro-trans legislation into law, states do not have as many bills in place to protect the rights of the trans community and in some cases have vetoed anti-trans bills. Those who did so included Evers, Beshear and Kelly, whose vetoes were overridden by the Republican-controlled Congress.
But Newsom infuriated many transgender people and their allies earlier this year with comments he made on a podcast with right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Newsom said it is “grossly unfair” to force transgender girls and women to compete in sports alongside cisgender women. Newsom reiterated that several times, including in an interview with Klein.
“As we advance the rights of trans communities in terms of fairness in sports competition, we must also consider the realities of those who are disenfranchised,” he said. “And I just don’t think that’s a bigoted position. And this is an example of what I’ve been saying about being critical, firing people, kicking people out of the party.”
However, there is no evidence that trans women athletes are inherently better than cisgender athletes, and there are many factors that influence athletic performance beyond gender assigned at birth.
But Newsom also defended trans athletes. He has resisted pressure from the Trump administration for states to rescind trans-inclusive school sports policies.
The interview with Klein also sparked a new skirmish in Newsom’s feud with right-wing billionaire Elon Musk. Musk has a daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who is transgender, but she has severed ties with him. Musk repeatedly left her dead or misgendered her.
Musk’s political action committee, America PAC, shared a clip of the interview between Klein and Newsom on Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Mr. Newsom’s news organization responded by resharing the post with the comment, “Sorry your daughter hates you, Elon.” musk To this he once again slandered her name and misgendered her. She said she “suffers from a tragic mental illness caused by an evil awakening virus that we inflict on vulnerable children.” I won’t share the latter post because of the naming and gender errors.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
