Amid California Democrats' internal clash on trans rights
Newly surfaced information reveals a confidential gathering involving Gov. Gavin Newsom's key aides and representatives from the California Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus.
TroibNews 
SACRAMENTO, California — Senior officials in Gavin Newsom’s administration advised Democrats against introducing transgender rights legislation shortly before the governor publicly diverged from his party on the subject of trans athletes, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
Despite this guidance, members of the Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus proceeded to propose a series of bills on the matter.
The directive from Nathan Barankin, Newsom’s chief of staff, and Legislative Affairs Secretary Christine Aurre during a private meeting in January highlights the administration's sensitivity to controversial trans issues, along with concerns about them potentially landing on the governor’s desk. As one of the most prominent Democrats in the nation and a potential presidential candidate in 2028, Newsom’s actions carry significant weight.
Similar cautions were communicated to the caucus leading up to last year’s election.
The caucus's growing frustration with the governor was openly expressed on Thursday after Newsom stated on his new podcast that it is “deeply unfair” for trans women and girls to participate in athletic teams that align with their gender identity.
“We woke up profoundly disappointed and sickened, when you have someone who has been thoughtful and has been a very unwavering ally release a statement like that,” remarked Caucus Chair Chris Ward, a Democrat from San Diego. He added, “This is playing into a lot of the conversation that Donald Trump is obsessing about in order to distract us.”
Newsom's office opted not to comment on the meeting.
“We continue to have productive conversations with the LGBTQ Caucus — including on legislation supporting transgender Californians,” said Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon. “We value the collaborative, open partnership we have with the Caucus."
Newsom has historically championed LGBTQ+ rights, having signed legislation prohibiting schools from notifying parents if their child displays signs of being transgender. He defended that bill vigorously during the podcast interview.
As former mayor of San Francisco, Newsom infamously defied state and federal laws by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
However, he has also faced backlash from LGBTQ Caucus members, particularly over his veto of legislation that required judges to consider a child's gender identity in custody disputes.
“We are profoundly disappointed and angered by Governor Newsom’s comments about transgender youth and their ability to participate in sports,” stated Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang, whose organization collaborates closely with the caucus. “Instead of standing strong, the governor has added to the heartbreak and fear caused by the relentless barrage of hate from the Trump administration.”
Equality California endorsed Newsom during his first successful gubernatorial campaign in 2018, praising him as “always on the forefront of the fight to advance LGBTQ civil rights” and a dedicated advocate for the community.
Earlier this week, as the LGBTQ Caucus announced its priority bills for the year, Ward emphasized lawmakers' intention to “exercise our co-equal role” in governance. “We are a co-equal branch, and we have our responsibilities to our community members to put their issues forward,” he stated at a Wednesday news conference.
While the remarks were diplomatic, they could be interpreted as a public acknowledgment of the caucus’s defiance against a governor attempting to moderate its agenda.
The Democratic proposals for this year exclude more contentious topics like youth athletics. They aim to expedite the process for changing names and gender markers on driver’s licenses and ensure that court records reflecting these changes are kept confidential.
Two Republican-sponsored bills seek to prevent trans women and girls from competing in school sports according to their gender identity, but they are unlikely to pass in the Democratic-majority Legislature.
Despite his comments, Newsom has not proposed any new policy changes. His past public statements on managing sports participation issues have typically been ambiguous, as the topic remains a significant culture war point.
“I got kids that are in sports, so I also understand there needs to be humility and grace,” Newsom told PMG in 2023, while referencing scenarios “when a kid’s not standing there on stage because they feel like someone had an advantage, an unfair advantage.”
Jeremy B. White contributed to this report.
For more insights, consider subscribing to PMG’s California Playbook newsletter.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
Despite this guidance, members of the Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus proceeded to propose a series of bills on the matter.
The directive from Nathan Barankin, Newsom’s chief of staff, and Legislative Affairs Secretary Christine Aurre during a private meeting in January highlights the administration's sensitivity to controversial trans issues, along with concerns about them potentially landing on the governor’s desk. As one of the most prominent Democrats in the nation and a potential presidential candidate in 2028, Newsom’s actions carry significant weight.
Similar cautions were communicated to the caucus leading up to last year’s election.
The caucus's growing frustration with the governor was openly expressed on Thursday after Newsom stated on his new podcast that it is “deeply unfair” for trans women and girls to participate in athletic teams that align with their gender identity.
“We woke up profoundly disappointed and sickened, when you have someone who has been thoughtful and has been a very unwavering ally release a statement like that,” remarked Caucus Chair Chris Ward, a Democrat from San Diego. He added, “This is playing into a lot of the conversation that Donald Trump is obsessing about in order to distract us.”
Newsom's office opted not to comment on the meeting.
“We continue to have productive conversations with the LGBTQ Caucus — including on legislation supporting transgender Californians,” said Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon. “We value the collaborative, open partnership we have with the Caucus."
Newsom has historically championed LGBTQ+ rights, having signed legislation prohibiting schools from notifying parents if their child displays signs of being transgender. He defended that bill vigorously during the podcast interview.
As former mayor of San Francisco, Newsom infamously defied state and federal laws by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
However, he has also faced backlash from LGBTQ Caucus members, particularly over his veto of legislation that required judges to consider a child's gender identity in custody disputes.
“We are profoundly disappointed and angered by Governor Newsom’s comments about transgender youth and their ability to participate in sports,” stated Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang, whose organization collaborates closely with the caucus. “Instead of standing strong, the governor has added to the heartbreak and fear caused by the relentless barrage of hate from the Trump administration.”
Equality California endorsed Newsom during his first successful gubernatorial campaign in 2018, praising him as “always on the forefront of the fight to advance LGBTQ civil rights” and a dedicated advocate for the community.
Earlier this week, as the LGBTQ Caucus announced its priority bills for the year, Ward emphasized lawmakers' intention to “exercise our co-equal role” in governance. “We are a co-equal branch, and we have our responsibilities to our community members to put their issues forward,” he stated at a Wednesday news conference.
While the remarks were diplomatic, they could be interpreted as a public acknowledgment of the caucus’s defiance against a governor attempting to moderate its agenda.
The Democratic proposals for this year exclude more contentious topics like youth athletics. They aim to expedite the process for changing names and gender markers on driver’s licenses and ensure that court records reflecting these changes are kept confidential.
Two Republican-sponsored bills seek to prevent trans women and girls from competing in school sports according to their gender identity, but they are unlikely to pass in the Democratic-majority Legislature.
Despite his comments, Newsom has not proposed any new policy changes. His past public statements on managing sports participation issues have typically been ambiguous, as the topic remains a significant culture war point.
“I got kids that are in sports, so I also understand there needs to be humility and grace,” Newsom told PMG in 2023, while referencing scenarios “when a kid’s not standing there on stage because they feel like someone had an advantage, an unfair advantage.”
Jeremy B. White contributed to this report.
For more insights, consider subscribing to PMG’s California Playbook newsletter.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
