I live in James City County and I oppose Petition 432.

This petition is not about protecting women’s spaces or women. The Board of Health should not condone discrimination of groups of people harmful based on who they are. 

There are real public health issues facing women and girls in Virginia, like domestic violence, maternal health, and poverty. Don’t let this hateful petition distract from your important mission to protect the health and promote the well-being of ALL people in Virginia.

Across our races, backgrounds, and genders, we all deserve to be treated fairly. There is a nationwide effort by some politicians and interest groups to force transgender people and LGBTQ+ people out of public life. These political attacks harm us all, whether we’re gay or straight, transgender or not, because they foster discrimination and distract us from the real problems we face. 

I believe all people deserve the same rights regardless of who they are. Trans people are just people trying to live their lives like everyone else. This petition has nothing to do with the health of Virginians and everything to do with discrimination. 

My trans sister has taught me that being true to who you are is the most brave and authentic path in life. She’s strong and courageous, she’s deserving of all that is good in the world. I am so disheartened by the constant attacks on trans people. 

No one should face discrimination because of who they are. Trans people have always been here, and always will be. Trans people cannot and will not be erased.