Once By His Side, Gallego Gets Pushback From LGBTQ+ Organizations

A week after Sen. Ruben Gallego, a progressive Democrat, stated that transgender girls shouldn’t be playing in youth sports, organizations that helped aid in his ascension to his role in the Senate are now calling on him to reverse course or face opposition. 

In an interview with The Dispatch, Gallego said the debate over transgender youth in sports should be handled at the local, not federal, level, and referenced what he described as “legitimate” concerns from parents of both transgender and cisgender youth.

His comments—expressing general support for transgender youth but not for full participation in sports—represent a marked shift from his previous positions: In March this year, Gallego joined all Senate Democrats in voting against advancing Senate Bill S.9, which sought to redefine sex under Title IX to be based solely on reproductive biology at birth. The bill would have barred transgender students from participating in school sports that align with their gender identity and overridden existing inclusive state, district, or school-level policies. 

Now, his supporters say it’s unclear where the senator stands on civil rights for transgender people. 

Phoenix Pride said it felt “shocked and deeply disappointed” in Gallego’s statements, calling them a betrayal. The organization posted on social media that his comments called into question the sincerity of his past appearances at LGBTQ+ events, many of which coincided with campaign seasons.

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Phoenix Pride has asked Gallego to retract or revise his statement, citing the potential harm to trans youth. 

“The LGBTQ+ community supported Sen. Gallego when he needed our votes,” the post read. “We expected that support to extend to all of us—especially trans youth.”

Michael Soto, president and CEO of Equality Arizona, said in a statement that America has two competing traditions: one of exclusion and one of inclusion.

“When a leader chooses exclusion, they fail to lead,” Soto said. “Sen. Gallego has unfortunately aligned himself with those seeking to exclude—those who spread fear and misinformation for political gain.”

Soto continued that there is a legitimate debate about fairness in sports, but that Gallego has played into the hand of far-right extremists who want to legalize discrimination: “As a nation, we have rejected fear and myths in the context of race, gender, and sports. We must do the same now to successfully integrate transgender people into both recreational and competitive athletics.”

The ACLU of Arizona also condemned Gallego’s remarks. Katelynn Contreras, the group’s policy strategist, said Gallego’s comments contribute to a broader effort to push transgender people out of public and civic life.

“Sen. Gallego campaigned as a fighter for the LGBTQ+ community,” Contreras said. “But instead of using his platform to ensure students feel supported in schools and activities, he’s made it harder. Excluding trans students sends the message that they are not equal.”

National organizations that previously endorsed Gallego—including the Human Rights Campaign and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund—are now scrutinizing his support for the community.

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Brandon Wolf, HRC’s national press secretary, said every child deserves a safe, welcoming place to play and learn the values of teamwork.

“No one’s political ambitions will be buoyed by betraying our most vulnerable communities,” Wolf said. “MAGA attacks on everything from essential health care to book bans and sports are targeting transgender youth in order to divide communities and distract from real issues.”

GLAAD, in a fact sheet on transgender participation in sports, notes that sports bans are part of a growing trend of anti-trans policies, including restrictions on health care, education, and restroom access.

LOOKOUT reached out to Gallego’s office in Washington D.C. His press secretary said he wouldn’t be issuing any further comments.