The Unholy Alliance: How California Governor Gavin Newsom and Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Unleash Anti-LGBTQ+ Bigotry

It's no secret that California Governor Gavin Newsom has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, having signed several laws to protect the rights of transgender individuals, including a bill that bars state-funded therapy aimed at changing a person's gender orientation or gender identity. But, in a recent podcast episode with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Newsom revealed his true colors, expressing his opposition to transgender girls and women playing in sports for girls and women.

“I think it's deeply unfair,” Newsom said, as reported by Vanity Fair. “I mean, you're talking about a 12-year-old girl, who's struggling with her identity, and then you're gonna put her on a team with a male athlete, who's been trained in male athletics, and that's just not fair. It's not equal.” Kirk, known for his anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, praised Newsom for his words, saying, “You have an opportunity to run to the middle… you right now should come out and be like, you know what, the young man who's about to win the state championship in the long jump in female sports, that shouldn't happen.” Kirk continued to push his anti-LGBTQ+ agenda, saying, “Get better ideas, and start unifying people, not dividing them.”

It's amusing to hear Newsom and Kirk's comments juxtaposed, almost like a marriage of convenience between the far-right and the establishment. Kirk, who gained fame for starting Turning Point USA, a right-wing group attempting to promote conservative ideals on college campuses, has a history of spreading misinformation and hate speech. Newsom, on the other hand, should know better, having championed progressive values and respect for individuality and diversity.

Newsom's remarks come at a time when transgender Americans face increasing discriminatory attacks from conservative leaders, from state legislatures to the White House. In 2022, Trump's administration issued a directive banning transgender students from playing on girls' sports teams, claiming to “protect” women. The same administration has been known for its anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, with Trump himself being recorded making inflammatory comments about transgender individuals, including mocking a transgender student's decision to use the girls' bathroom.

But let's not forget that Newsom, the self-proclaimed “Democratic” governor of California, signed an executive order in 2019 prohibiting state-funded therapy aimed at changing a person's gender orientation or gender identity. It was a step in the right direction, a nod to the LGBTQ+ community, and a commitment to supporting inclusivity. So, why is he now aligning himself with anti-LGBTQ+ bigots like Kirk?

The answer is simple: politics. In a presidential run in 2024 or 2028, Newsom will inevitably need to pivot to the center, like Kirk suggested, to appeal to a wider audience. By cozying up to anti-LGBTQ+ figures, Newsom may be trying to capitalize on their supporters, hoping to shift the conversation away from his progressive stances and towards a more centrist, business-friendly approach.

But let's not be fooled: this is a blatant betrayal of the LGBTQ+ community, a slap in the face to those he once claimed to support. As he so-called “criticizes” transgender athletes in sports, Newsom is, in reality, perpetuating harmful stereotypes, stigmatizing vulnerable individuals, and contributing to an environment where hate and discrimination thrive.

The people of California deserve better leadership from their governor. They deserve a leader who sticks by their word, who fights for inclusivity, and who unapologetically champions the rights of all people, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or expression. Not some calculating, opportunistic politician who trades in his values for a share of the anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.

Newsom's attempt to join forces with Charlie Kirk is a misstep, a betrayal of trust, and a betrayal of the very values he once claimed to hold dear. It's a reminder that, in the world of politics, power and expedience can trump the principles that once drove people to support a candidate in the first place.