Most Californians oppose transgender athletes in women’s sports

A majority of likely voters in one of America’s most liberal states strongly oppose males competing in women’s sports, a new poll shows.

The Public Policy Institute of California found last week that 65% of those surveyed, including about half of Democrats, think male transgender-identifying athletes should have to play on teams that match their anatomical sex rather than their so-called gender identity.

“The big finding there is a Democrat split on the issue, which was kind of interesting in light of some of the discussions that have been occurring amongst Democrats on the topic,” survey director Mark Baldassare told Politico.

Although rank-and-file Democrats in the California Assembly support males competing in women’s sports – and even killed legislation that would have prevented it last month – Gov. Gavin Newsom has suddenly spoken out against it. However, Newsom, a Democrat and likely 2028 presidential nomination candidate, hasn’t supported any political solution to the problem.

“Completely fair on the issue of fairness. I completely agree. So that’s easy to call out the unfairness of that,” Newsom told Charlie Kirk on his podcast last month. “There’s also a humility and grace that these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression, and the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well.”

The governor commented on the issue after Kirk asked him to disavow AB Hernandez, a transgender high school track athlete who had recently won the triple jump at a California track meet by eight feet. Hernandez could win the event at the state title meet later this spring, as The Lion previously reported.  

The Trump administration has pushed Newsom to take a stronger political stand against males competing in women’s sports. Trump signed an executive order earlier this year directing federal agencies to withhold funding from schools and states that let males compete in women’s sports. The administration is investigating California for potential violations. 

Education Secretary Linda McMahon sent Newsom a letter in March urging him to fix the problem.  

“Take a stand on your convictions. Be clear about the harms of gender confusion. Protect female spaces. Do not encourage children to seek permanent medical intervention to their sex. Inform parents,” McMahon wrote, accusing him of political “grandstanding.” 

“Allowing participation in sex-separated activities based on ‘gender identity’ places schools at risk of Title IX violations and loss of federal funding,” McMahon later added. “As Governor, you have a duty to warn California school districts of this risk.”   

The federal government has already found Maine in violation of Title IX and has withheld millions in federal funds. It is currently investigating other states, including Oregon, Minnesota, Washington and Massachusetts. 

A January 2025 New York Times poll found that 79% of Americans oppose trans athletes competing in women’s sports; just 18% support it.