California billionaire Tom Steyer defends trans athletes in high school sports as governor’s race heats up
California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer He defended transgender athletes competing in high school sports in a podcast released Sunday, arguing that excluding transgender youth from athletics would worsen the emotional and mental health issues many already face.
“I’m all for it. trans athletes in high school,” Steyer he told the “I Did This” podcast host Jennifer Welch.
“Once you understand the vulnerability and the stress and the danger of being a trans kid, and when you realize that almost half of them try to commit suicide, you think, ‘We’re going to punish these kids, we’re going to take them away from team sports.’ It’s like no we’re not.”
Steyer made similar statements He speaks to CBS Los Angeles but they also branded opponents for perpetuating a “right-wing attempt” to denigrate transgender people.
Tom Steyer is also concerned about transgender athletes in high school as he runs for governor.
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“To be clear, this is not a huge epidemic,” he said. “This is a right wing initiative Victimizing and mistreating people who are already defenseless and helpless; My heart goes out to the people who are completely upset, who feel so rejected and so unaccepted that half of them try to kill themselves.”
Steyer is among a crowd of Democrats vying to retain party control of the incumbent Governor’s office. Gavin Newsom time expires.
Tom Steyer Joins Crowd of Candidates Vying to Succeed Newsom in California Governorship Bid
Democratic candidates Antonio Villaraigosa, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra and Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco participate in the California gubernatorial debate at the East Los Angeles College Auditorium in Monterey Park, Calif., on May 5 ahead of the June 2 primary.
Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, former California State Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, former California State Controller Betty Yee and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond round out the list.
what remains Democratic candidates Porter echoed parts of Steyer’s view, arguing that youth sports are aimed at building character and teamwork rather than determining who is the best.
Becerra, when pressing the current State Law He urged officials who allow students to participate in activities based on gender identity to continue protecting certain classes as required by law.
Pete Buttigieg Continues to Question the Fairness of Trans Athletes in Women’s Sports
Others offered more nuanced answers.
Mahan initially criticized those using the issue as a “political lightning rod” to “score political points”, but noted that he might realize the injustice if a biological male was playing. football against his young daughter.
“That would be a conversation we would have, and I can imagine that wouldn’t be fair,” he said.
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“But I also think we’ve gotten caught up in actually using this as a litmus test for demonizing differences, dividing people, scoring political points, and I’m not going to be a governor who just allows vulnerable people to be punching bags,” he said.
Villaraigosa dismissed the controversy as “no problem” but expressed his opposition to discrimination and his personal belief: biological males who have reached puberty women should not compete in sports.
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Yee emphasized the need to identify ways to promote fairness while ensuring the participation of everyone; Thurmond, however, took a more definitive approach to supporting transgender athletes.
Meanwhile, Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco also support overturn existing legislation This makes it possible to practice.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Original article source: California billionaire Tom Steyer defends transgender athletes in high school sports as governor’s race heats up
