Pete Buttigieg doubles-down on questioning fairness of trans athletes in women's sports

"I think in order to bring people together on this, we also have to take everyone seriously ,including parents who have questions," Buttigieg said. 

"People who have questions or wonder what this means ... they're going to have questions about how to make sure that's fair, and we should take those questions seriously and face those together." 

The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor also said he believes that the issue is "being used to hurt" people as a political topic, and he doubled-down on the stance that policies surrounding trans athletes in women's sports shouldn't be made by politicians. 

"I see this issue being used to divide. I see it being used to hurt people," he said. "It's especially hurtful for trans people and people with transgender members of their family who witness themselves or people they love being used as a political football."

Buttigieg's original quotes on NPR in July prompted questions and criticisms by some liberals and pro-trans activists, as the issue continues to divide the Democratic Party.

Buttigieg has joined several other prominent Democrats and media pundits who have spoken out against allowing males to compete with females, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom; Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.; and HBO host Bill Maher. 

Of the 2,128 people who participated, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. 

Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democrat, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women. 

Other data suggests the issue affected the outcome of the 2024 election. 

And 6% said it was the most important issue of all, while 44% said it was "very important."