I live in Charlottesville, Virginia, and I oppose Action 4905.

The Board of Health ought to refrain from labeling groups of people as “harmful" based on their identity as a human being. Such rhetoric is founded solely on the basis of discrimination and has never been productive to the public good.

There are indeed real public health issues facing women and girls in Virginia: domestic violence, maternal health, and poverty. Our public health resources ought to thus be redirected toward solving these issues rather than attempting to restrict the rights of transgender individuals in a futile quixotic quest.

The health and well-being of ALL Virginians ought to preclude any effort to restrict the rights of a select few. Consider how practically no individual benefits from any action to restrict the presence of transgender athletes in sports of their choosing. A small proportion of the total athlete population is barred from competing in sports, and then what? Are all problems pertinent to woman’s health issues suddenly resolved in an act of magic? Will all Virginian women suddenly be granted a life free from violence if a group of athletes, certainly less than a thousand in number (clearly less than 0.0113637% of the state population as a whole), are hindered from participation in the public sphere?

Consider again an anecdote from personal experience: I once opposed the entry of transgender women into sports, freely repeating the same rhetoric circulated by prominent right-wing politicians and influencers out of concern for the state of cisgender women in society. I championed the cause of those who claimed a transgender athlete’s participation in the public sphere of sports was unjustified, a harm unto “real” women. Yet, as time went on, I noticed such talking points wore away at my mental health and left me with no benefit whatsoever. The consequences thereof, however, including unnecessary stress and amplified anger issues, permeated my daily life and left me wondering why I expended so much energy on an issue that had no bearing on my life at all. The food on my table was not going to disappear if transgender women were allowed into the sport of their choosing, nor would I achieve any personal goals if I continued to rage against a marginalized group without cause. Thus, I chose to check my hubris and listen to transgender stories rather than allow baseless accusations against them to govern my perception of their existence; and when I truly realized they were equally human, the debate surrounding their activities as human beings became futile.

It is a basic fact of human existence that one, regardless of race, background, culture, creed, tongue, gender, or any other defining aspect of identity ought to be treated fairly and justly. Marginalized groups for decades have fought in our country and our state to be treated as equal citizens, from people of color to women to now LGBTQ+ people. To discriminate against any one group is to provide routes for future actors to discriminate against all.

The answer to this dilemma is simple: we all deserve to be treated fairly.

I implore you to approach Action 4905 and ask yourself “would this policy treat people fairly”. An answer of no or any hesitation should warrant the subsequent question of why this proposition ought to be considered.

Ask yourself again: “would I be being just to others and exercising the univeral moral principle of treating others kindly if I helped enact Action 4905?” 

In an age where there is clearly targeted effort by certain politicans and interest groups to attack LGBTQ+ and transgender people through intimidation and discrimination, it is clear that if any one part of the community is at risk, all others suffer as well. To borrow language from a patriotic forefather: “a house united will not fall.” It is our duty to protect queer Virginians and allow them to continue living as welcomed, appreciated members of our community.

Choose to act against Action 4905 and allow the diversity of the human race to flourish.