California Schools and Families Criticize Newsom Over Trans Athlete Policies

California is no stranger to controversy over transgender athletes participating in girls' sports, and that tension has been building for months. This week, Governor Gavin Newsom added fuel to the fire by admitting on his new podcast that he finds the situation "deeply unfair" while still defending policies that allow it. For many families and schools in the state, his words fell flat.

"It's deeply unfair," Newsom acknowledged, referring to transgender athletes competing in girls' sports. But he doubled down, citing the vulnerability of transgender individuals and suggesting that addressing the issue requires "humility and grace." Critics, however, argue that his empathy isn't translating into action, leaving young female athletes at a disadvantage.

Stone Ridge Christian School in Merced, California, felt the sting of these policies last fall. The girls' volleyball team forfeited a playoff match rather than play against a team with a transgender athlete, citing their religious beliefs. Julie Fagundes, the campus administrator, did not mince words: "What’s really unfair is Gov. Newsom letting males compete in women’s sports despite admitting that it is unfair." She called for common-sense policies that respect boundaries, especially for religious institutions.

At Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, the controversy took a sharper turn. A transgender athlete's participation on the girls' cross-country team led to a lawsuit, national headlines, and even disciplinary actions against students who wore "Save Girls Sports" T-shirts. Cynthia Slavin, the mother of one of the plaintiffs, criticized Newsom for failing to act. "Talk is cheap. Take action, do something," she said, adding that the policies are creating division and mental stress for both transgender and cisgender students.

Meanwhile, in the Jurupa Unified School District, a transgender athlete's dominance in track and field has sparked frustration among families and athletes alike. Jaspriya Singh, a former athlete and sister of a current competitor, spoke passionately about fairness. "This isn’t just about sports," she insisted. "It’s about ensuring girls have the same chances to excel and achieve their dreams without an unfair disadvantage."

Educators are chiming in, too. A teacher from Southern California, speaking anonymously, questioned Newsom's sincerity: "For years, he has championed policies that force schools to comply with inclusion rules, disregarding the concerns of female athletes, parents, and educators. Now he’s claiming to see the unfairness? It’s hard to take seriously."

Jessica Tapia, a former teacher who says she lost her job over her stance on the issue, took aim at the broader implications. "We are losing good teachers because of how detrimental gender ideology is," she said. Similarly, Sonja Shaw, board president of the Chino Valley Unified School District, criticized Newsom for failing to back up his words with action. "To sit back and say it’s unfair but not put any teeth into it, I think is weak," she remarked.

Amber French, a Division I swimmer at California Baptist University, echoed these sentiments, noting that the issue is becoming a recurring problem. "Every year we have another male playing in female sports and taking away our opportunities," she said, calling on Newsom to "apply the same decency he advocates for" to women in sports.

The debate isn’t just playing out at the local level. California's refusal to comply with a federal executive order banning biological males from girls' sports has put the state at odds with federal guidelines, risking potential loss of education funding. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is also under federal investigation for possible Title IX violations. In a statement, CIF defended its policies, saying they align with California law and aim to provide opportunities for all students, regardless of gender identity.

Despite Newsom's recent remarks, those affected remain skeptical. As the debate continues to escalate, one thing is clear: this issue is far from resolved, and the stakes are only getting higher.