I am writing to voice my deep concern and strong opposition to abhorrent Petition 432. 

This petition is not about protecting students, or sports,  or improving education — it is a transparent effort to marginalize and erase an already vulnerable community for political gain and spread hate. 

Trans people are our family, our friends, our neighbors, our students, and our teachers. They are human beings deserving of respect, safety, and dignity. To imply otherwise — to treat their identity as a threat or as something that should be hidden from view — is not only discriminatory, but dangerous.

This petition invokes fear, not facts. It is rooted in ignorance and prejudice, and its only real impact would be to make life harder for our transgender friends, peers, family members, and neighbors — people who already face higher rates of bullying, depression, and suicide. Removing language that acknowledges their existence does not make schools and restrooms safer; it makes them more hostile and isolating, full stop!

Trans rights are human rights. This marginalized group deserves to feel seen and supported. We cannot and must not allow bigotry to masquerade as policy.

I urge the Department of Education and all those reviewing this petition to reject it fully and unequivocally. Hate has no place here. Not in our schools. Not in our sports. Not in our facilities. Not in our state. Not in our homes. Not in our communities.

Réka György, Lily Mullens, and Carter Satterfield should be ashamed for crafting such a hateful and misinformed petition in search of validating bigotry.