Good morning,

I live in Chesterfield County and I strongly oppose Petition 432, along with any other petition that encourages discrimination against any group.

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. I have worked in the gender based violence field for years so I have witnessed it first hand. Please do not let this 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 have Trans family and friends and know that when you treat people differently because of who they are this leads to widespread harm. I have a friend who is planning to leave the county. They do IT work -  we are LOSING valuable and talented 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. 

Thank you for your time.

Tammi Slovinsky