This week on ezra kline show, Podcast hosted by new york times, ca governor. Gavin Newsom He said he signed more favorsTransgender Bills are in the law of any governor.
“I want to see transgender kids,” said Newsom, a Democrat. “I have a transgender godson. No governor has signed more pro-trans legislation than me. No one has been a stronger advocate for the LGBTQ community.”
His statement about pro-transgender legislation is likely true, especially given the amount of such legislation in California.
Related to: California Governor Newsom is considering a presidential run. This is his LGBTQ+ rights record
Not all states follow legislation this way, and most national groups follow state by state but not by governor. But based on the LGBTQ+ group Equality in California A database of legislation you have supported, plus LawyereAccording to our report, we count 47 pro-LGBTQ+ bills Newsom has signed into law since taking office in 2019, of which 21 have specifically benefited trans people. Most pro-LGBTQ+ bills generally benefit trans people as well.
Among the specifically pro-transgender bills are one that would make California a sanctuary state for out-of-state youth and their families seeking gender-affirming care; Prevent teachers from forcing transgender students into their families; Many changes in names and gender in official documents, either to facilitate process, ensure use, or protect confidentiality; One requires that single-user restrooms be designated for all genders.
He has vetoed some pro-transgender bills, such as this year’s, which would have required a gender-inclusive view in health education classes. He said the legislation should wait until the state’s study of health curricula is completed.
Related to: The 10 states that passed pro-LGBTQ+ bills — or defeated the most anti-LGBTQ+ laws — in 2025
Many other Democratic governors are strongly supportive of transgender people, e.g Jared Polis colorado, JB Pritzker illinois, Maura Healey state of massachusetts, Tina Kotic oregon, Janet Mills maine, Tony Evers wisconsin, Gretchen Whitmer michigan, Tim Waltz minnesota, Andy Bashir kentucky, Laura Kelly KS – There are many others. Some have signed pro-trans bills into law, but their states have not seen such a volume of legislation to protect the rights of the transgender community, and in some cases, they have vetoed anti-trans bills. Those who have done so include EversBashir, and Kelly, with Bashir and Kelly The veto was overridden by Republican-majority legislatures.
However, Newsom has angered many transgender people and their supporters, with his comments this year on a podcast with right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Allowing trans girls and women to compete in sports alongside cisgender females, Newsom said It is “extremely unfair.” Newsom has repeated this several times, including in the interview with Klein.
He said: “You have to understand the reality of those whose rights are being taken away while we work to strengthen the rights of the transgender community, in terms of the fairness of sports competition.” “And I think that’s not a bigoted position. It’s an example of some of the things I’ve been saying about being judgmental, kicking people out, kicking that person out of the party.”
But there is no evidence that trans female athletes have an inherent advantage over their cisgender counterparts, and there are many other factors besides sex assigned at birth that influence athletic performance.
However, Newsom has sometimes defended transgender athletes. I have It resisted pressure from the Trump administration The state should abolish its comprehensive school sports policy.
The interview with Klein also led to another skirmish in Newsom’s feud with right-wing billionaire Elon Musk. Musk has a transgender daughter Vivian Gina Wilsonwho broke off relations with him. Musk has repeatedly named it and gotten it wrong.
Musk’s political action committee, America PAC, shared a clip of Klein’s interview with Newsom on the social media platform Musk owns, X (formerly Twitter). Newsom’s press office responded by resharing the post with the caption, “We’re sorry your daughter hates you, Elon.” Musk She replied to her by her dead name and she misunderstood her again. Saying that she “suffers from a tragic mental illness caused by the evil awakened mind virus that she inflicts on vulnerable children.” We will not share the last post due to misnomer and error.
This article originally appeared on Advocate: Has Gavin Newsom actually signed the most pro-trans bills of any governor?