I live in STAFFORD COUNTY and I oppose Petition 432.

This petition is not about locker rooms. The Board of Health has no business labeling groups of people harmful based on who they are. This is a blatant attempt at preying on people’s fears when trans men and women just want to live their lives like we all do  

There are real public health issues facing women and girls in Virginia like missing and murdered indigenous women, 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, trans or not  

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 have learned from my trans brother how living your entire life until 25 years as someone else, not feeling like they belong in their skin. Seeing my brother struggle before transitioning not understanding why they felt that way until the day they transitioned and found themselves. He has never threatened anyone or preyed upon others in sensitive areas. My brother is an upstanding citizen who tries his best to get educated to help others in need. And to see strangers attack his (and other trans peoples) character without so much as trying to understand is deplorable and un-American. This petition has nothing to do with health and safety of Virginians and everything to do with hate and discrimination. Virginia is for lovers. Period. 

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.