Tom Steyer Backs Trans Athletes in High School Sports, Citing Nearly 50% Suicide Attempt Rate
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 25
Tom Steyer Backs Trans Athletes in High School Sports, Citing Nearly 50% Suicide Attempt Rate
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 25
Tom Steyer said on the "I've Had It" podcast that transgender students should be allowed to compete in girls' high school sports, making the issue a clear part of his California governor campaign.
Nearly half of trans youth have tried to commit suicide, Steyer said, arguing that excluding them from team sports would deepen isolation and mental-health risks rather than solve a widespread problem.
Steyer also told CBS Los Angeles the debate is not a "huge epidemic" and accused critics of using a right-wing campaign to stigmatize already vulnerable children.
California's Democratic field mostly echoed support for existing protections, though Antonio Villaraigosa and Matt Mahan raised fairness concerns in some cases; Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco want the law overturned.
The split highlights how transgender sports participation is emerging as a fault line in the crowded race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom ahead of the June 2 primary.
Can policies balance competitive fairness with the documented mental health needs of transgender student athletes?
As genetics begin to define athletic categories, what is the future for women's sports and all competitors?