I live in Washington, DC 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. 

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. 

As someone who played soccer for a decade and participated in multiple track and field events, I know how important sports are. I formed close friendships during my athletic career and at the core of those friendships are respect and mutual support. This bill is seeking to divide instead of unite and athletics will suffer as a result. People will be hurt by this. Athletics and fitness are for everyone. We are all better when we take care of our bodies and lift up one another.  

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.