Tom Steyer Doubles Down on Transgender Males in Girls’ Sports and Locker Rooms — Ignoring 80/20 Public Opposition
- Rex Ballard
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
In the crowded 2026 California gubernatorial race, billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer continues to stake out a position that puts him sharply at odds with the overwhelming majority of Californians and Americans. Steyer has doubled down in support of allowing biological males who identify as transgender to compete in girls’ and women’s sports and access their locker rooms and facilities.
Podcast Remarks Spark Backlash
On the “I’ve Had It” podcast, Steyer stated unequivocally:
“I’m totally in favor of trans athletes in high school. I think when you understand the vulnerability, the stress, the danger of being a trans kid, and you understand that almost half of them try to commit suicide... We’re gonna punish those kids, we’re gonna cut them off from team sports... It’s like, no, we’re not.”
He added that fairness in girls’ sports is less important than inclusion, saying there are “more important things than whether you start on your high school basketball team.”
See Steyer's comments on transgenders in women's sports at the 7:00 mark
Steyer on the Wrong Side of an 80/20 Issue
Recent polling shows Steyer is dramatically out of step with voters:
Gallup (2025): 69% of Americans say transgender athletes should compete only on teams matching their birth sex.
NBC News (2025): 75% of adults oppose transgender women competing on female sports teams.
New York Times/Ipsos: Nearly 80% of Americans — including 67% of Democrats — oppose biological males in women’s sports.
Public Policy Institute of California (2025): 65% of likely California voters support requiring athletes to compete based on sex assigned at birth, including nearly half of Democrats.
This is one of the rare issues with broad bipartisan agreement. Northern California families, parents of female athletes, and coaches in Shasta County and beyond overwhelmingly prioritize fairness, safety, and privacy.
Impacts on California Girls
California’s 2013 law allows participation based on gender identity. Critics point to repeated instances of biological males taking podium spots, scholarships, and opportunities from girls — while raising legitimate concerns about privacy and safety in locker rooms.
Women’s sports advocates like former USA Gymnastics CEO Jennifer Sey have highlighted how these policies undermine Title IX protections.
Where Steyer Stands in the Race
While some Democrats have moderated their language amid shifting public opinion and federal pressure, Steyer is using this stance to appeal to progressive activists. He trails frontrunners in recent polling but remains a significant player thanks to his personal wealth.
For Shasta County and rural Northern California, the stakes are clear: policies that ignore biological reality affect local schools, sports programs, and family values.
What do you think? Is this a deal-breaker for Steyer’s candidacy? Should California protect girls’ sports? Share your views in the comments and make your voice heard before the primary.
Shasta Unfiltered remains committed to straightforward reporting on the issues that matter most to Northern California.
