I live in Henrico County, Virginia, and I strongly oppose Action 4905.

The Board of Health has no business labeling any group of people as harmful based on who they are. Your mandate is to protect public health, not to target marginalized communities with discriminatory policies.

There are real public health issues facing women and girls in Virginia, including domestic violence, maternal health outcomes, poverty, and lack of access to care. This petition does nothing to address those challenges. It distracts from your vital mission to safeguard the health and well-being of all people in our Commonwealth.

Across our races, backgrounds, and genders, we all deserve to be treated fairly. The push to ban transgender athletes is part of a nationwide political effort to force transgender people and LGBTQ+ people out of public life. These attacks harm all of us, whether gay or straight, transgender or not, because they foster discrimination and divert attention from the real problems our communities face.

As a teacher, I see firsthand how transgender students already carry the weight of discrimination and fear for their safety. They deserve support, not policies that further isolate and endanger them.

My priorities for improving health in Virginia are increasing access to comprehensive health care, including sexual and reproductive health services. This proposed regulation has nothing to do with improving the health of Virginians and everything to do with discrimination.

No one should face barriers or be denied participation in public life because of who they are. Transgender people have always been here and always will be. They cannot and will not be erased.

I urge you to reject Action 4905 and stay focused on the real work of promoting health and protecting every Virginian.