1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Dear Governor Newsom and Legislators, I am writing to express my shock, dismay, and vast disappointment around Governor Newsom’s recent comments about trans girls and women’s participation in sports. As a woman, an athlete, and a Californian by Choice, I am struggling to express just how stupid, exclusionary, and unnecessarily cruel the focus on these girls has become, and how disappointed I am that my governor has chosen to participate. Trans girls and women are not a threat to women, and frankly, painting them as such is misogynistic and humiliating to all women. Trans girls and women deserve the chance to exist and live their fullest lives— being a teammate, learning to win and lose, finding grit and grace inside of yourself as a part of a sport or challenge is a huge part of our human experience. They deserve the joy, the triumph, and the humility that comes from sport as much as anyone else, regardless of what you or other small minded people think. Given your decades of outward support for the LGBTQ community, I have to imagine that this is a cynical and narcissistic play to make yourself more palatable for a national campaign. How disappointing. How transparent. I sincerely hope that the Assembly and Senate hold you to account and increase their support of all trans people in this state, be they artists, athletes, or anyone else. I know I am writing this with less respect for you than I had earlier this morning.