1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

California has long positioned itself as a leader in civil rights and inclusion, but recent actions by Governor Newsom undermine that reputation. His decision to engage in a discussion with a known transphobe like Charlie Kirk—without pushing back, but instead agreeing with him on banning trans athletes—is disgraceful. Let’s be absolutely clear: giving a platform to people who deny the rights and existence of transgender individuals is not some neutral act. It actively contributes to the climate of discrimination, violence, and exclusion that trans people face every single day. Trans Californians are already fighting for survival. They are harassed, attacked, denied healthcare, and pushed to the margins of society by the very rhetoric that Kirk and his ilk spew. When the governor of this state chooses to validate those views rather than denounce them, it sends a dangerous message: that the dignity and rights of trans people are up for debate. They are not. I expect more from California’s leadership. If this state truly values inclusivity and civil rights, then those in power must stop legitimizing those who seek to strip those rights away. Governor Newsom, you owe the trans community more than empty gestures and progressive branding—you owe them real action. Publicly denounce Charlie Kirk’s hateful rhetoric, commit to protecting trans rights in all spaces, and stop giving bigots like him a platform. Anything less is a failure of leadership.