California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate, recently made headlines by voicing his concerns about transgender athletes in women’s sports and advocating for the inclusion of pro-life Democrats within his party. His remarks, made during an interview with conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk on the “This Is Gavin Newsom” podcast, have drawn widespread attention from both sides of the political spectrum.
During the conversation, Kirk challenged Newsom on the fairness of allowing biological males who identify as transgender women to compete in female sports. “You as the governor should stand up and say, ‘No.’ Would you do something like that? Would you say, ‘No men in female sports’?” Kirk asked. In response, Newsom firmly agreed, stating, “Well, I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness. It’s deeply unfair,” according to the podcast discussion.
The issue of fairness in sports is a topic of growing debate, especially among Catholics who uphold the dignity of both biological sex and athletic integrity. The Church teaches that human dignity must be respected, but it also emphasizes the need for fairness in competition. Newsom’s position on this issue aligns with the view that women’s sports should be protected from unfair advantages stemming from biological differences.
Another significant moment in the interview came when Kirk pressed Newsom about the Democratic Party’s exclusion of pro-life voices. “For example, if there’s a pro-life Democrat, is there a place for a pro-life Democrat in the party?” Kirk asked. Newsom responded, “There should be. That’s principle. There should be. That’s a deeply held personal point of view. God bless,” despite his strong support for abortion rights. He continued, “And I say this as one of the biggest champions for reproductive freedom on the planet,” according to the podcast discussion.
The Catholic Church upholds the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and has long encouraged the inclusion of pro-life voices in political discourse. Newsom’s acknowledgment that the Democratic Party should make room for pro-life members stands in contrast to the party’s increasingly staunch pro-abortion stance. This could signal a shift in the conversation within the party, or at least a recognition that alienating pro-life Democrats is politically unwise.
Despite his Catholic upbringing, Newsom has been a staunch advocate for policies that contradict Church teachings, including abortion and same-sex marriage. However, his willingness to engage in dialogue with a conservative Christian figure like Kirk demonstrates an awareness of the political and moral complexities surrounding these issues. “These things are important — and by the way, it’s the reason we’re having this conversation,” Newsom said. “This is very illuminating and helpful to me, to understand sort of the animus. What is it about, you know, that animus?”
The discussion between Newsom and Kirk also touched on issues of gender ideology, parental rights, and education. Newsom acknowledged that Democrats are “hurt by their stance on gender-identity issues,” and admitted, “I deeply am mindful of the politics of this, which are very unhelpful personally. It’s unhelpful more broadly, professionally [to] the Democratic Party and our brand and one of the reasons — to your point — the Democratic Party brand has just been crushed.”
For Catholics, these statements raise important questions about the future of public policy, fairness in sports, and the moral responsibilities of political leaders. While Newsom remains a vocal advocate for progressive causes, his recent comments highlight the tensions within the Democratic Party and suggest a growing awareness of the need to accommodate a wider range of perspectives—including those of faithful Catholics who uphold Church teachings on life, family, and fairness.
(Quotes sourced from “This Is Gavin Newsom” podcast interview with Charlie Kirk)
