Gavin Newsom signs new bill that GOP calls a backdoor for more trans athletes in girls’ sports

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation this week, which is being criticized by Republicans as a backdoor to increasing transgender athletes playing in girls’ sports.

The bill, called “Youth Sports Act for All,” requires a commission to explore whether a new state office needs to be created to regulate youth sports, including improving access for kids regardless of gender identity.

Gavin Newsom signs controversial bill amid GOP criticism

Newsom, a Democrat, signed the bill on Monday, October 13, despite saying that it was “deeply unfair” for transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports in March this year, during an interview with slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The past remark, which received backlash from liberals, was brought up by Republican state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, who criticized the bill, AB 749, in a letter to the governor’s office encouraging him to veto the measure last month.

“AB 749 is really just a disguise to actually further cement allowing biological males to compete against young women and girls in youth sports,” Jones wrote on September 26.

“The author and supporters of AB 749 know if they were upfront and put forth a straightforward bill allowing biological males to compete against young women and girls, it would be easily defeated.

“So instead they are trying to establish a stacked commission to indirectly rig the issue in their favor.”

Tina McKinnor responds to GOP criticisms over California bill

Jones was then criticized by Assembly member Tina McKinnor, who sponsored the bill, accusing him of targeting trans students and suggesting the state lawmaker should care more about the ongoing federal shutdown.

In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, McKinnor said, “Senator Brian Jones’ time would be better spent writing to the Republican controlled Congress to end the Trump Shutdown and reopen the federal government, rather than attacking trans students.”

Bill provisions and federal probe

California already allows trans athletes to compete in school sports based on their gender identity, against which the Trump administration has prompted a probe into potential civil rights violations.

The bill touches on numerous issues surrounding youth sports, including examining whether children can participate in sports regardless of gender, income, or disabilities.

It also sets up a Democrat led commission to examine coaching, safety, and pay-to-play issues, with the report due by January 2028.