California gov candidate Tom Steyer takes strong stand for trans rights in school sports
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/california-gov-candidate-tom-steyer-takes-strong-stand-for-trans-rights-in-school-sports/ 🔗Greg Owen (27 May 2026)
In the muddled race for California governor, transgender rights have not been at the forefront of issues that several candidates in the campaign have focused on. Affordability, housing, and a response to Donald Trump have taken up most of the debate in the "jungle" primary, which will see the top two candidates in the election next Tuesday advance to the general, regardless of party.
On Monday, however, Tom Steyer, the progressive billionaire and former presidential candidate, running as a Democrat and currently polling third in the race, made an emotional case for allowing trans student-athletes to play sports in California schools.
"I'm totally in favor of trans athletes in high school," Steyer said during an interview with the "I've Had It" podcast. "When you understand the vulnerability, the stress, the danger of being a trans kid, and you understand almost half of them try to commit suicide, then you think, 'We're gonna punish those kids, we're gonna cut them off from team sport?' It's like, no, we're not."
Current California law mandates that all student-athletes in the state be allowed to play on teams matching their gender identity. The policy has seen protests in conservative school districts and inspired investigations by the Trump administration in its crusade against transgender identity. The law was signed by former Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in 2013.
