Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama has addressed California Governor Gavin Newsom in a letter, urging him to take steps to prohibit men from competing in women’s sports in the state, ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The communication follows Governor Newsom's recent podcast remarks questioning the "fairness" of allowing men to compete in women's sports.

Senator Tuberville commended Governor Newsom for his remarks, stating, "I was very pleased to hear the comments you made on your podcast earlier this month affirming you do not think it is 'fair' for men to be allowed to compete in women’s sports." Tuberville pointed out that a significant majority of Americans, including 67% of Democrats, share this viewpoint.

The senator's letter reflects a contentious debate over the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. Tuberville emphasized the importance of maintaining fairness in competition and suggested working with the International Olympic Committee to develop evidence-based guidelines for the 2028 Games. He stated, "This isn’t about excluding transgender athletes – it is about protecting the rights of female athletes who have worked their entire lives to compete and deserve a fair opportunity."

The letter also recalled the Paris Olympics incident involving a person with male chromosomes competing in a women's boxing event, highlighting the need for clear and scientifically supported rules.

Senator Tuberville's efforts align with broader legislative initiatives, including the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, aimed at making permanent a previous executive order by President Trump banning men from competing in women’s sports. However, the bill faced opposition in the Senate, with 45 Democrats voting against it.

Tuberville concluded his letter by emphasizing the importance of showcasing equal and fair competition for women in the 2028 Games, underscoring, "Women make up 50% of this country – and it is our obligation to honor and protect them in the 2028 Games."

Governor Newsom has not publicly responded to the letter as of the publication of this article, and it remains to be seen how California will address the issue as the 2028 Olympics approach.