Overview

• Education Secretary Linda McMahon has issued a formal warning to Governor Gavin Newsom, stating that California schools allowing participation in sex-separated activities based on gender identity could lose federal funding under Title IX violations.
• McMahon called on Newsom to repeal California Education Code 221.5(f), which permits gender identity-based participation in school programs, and align state policies with federal mandates under the Trump administration.
• The letter highlighted Newsom's recent comments opposing male athletes in women’s sports, urging him to address broader issues of gender identity policies in schools, including parental notification requirements.
• McMahon emphasized that schools keeping gender identity plans secret from parents violates federal law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Newsom's nuanced position—acknowledging the unfairness of trans-identified males in women’s sports while advocating compassion for vulnerable communities—adds complexity to his response to federal demands.