I live in Arlington and I oppose Action 4905.

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 violence, economic hardship, and reproductive health access. 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. Bathroom laws often target cisgender women who don’t conform to outdated ideas of femininity. In fact, trans masculine people have been assaulted and murdered in women’s rest rooms. These political attacks harm us all, whether we’re LGBTQIA+ or straight. These are assaults on women's rights as the same forces who seek to restrict trans feminine people from public life have a goal of taking away all rights women have fought for over centuries.

I have personally shared a public restroom with trans women and felt safe. They only want to live a life as their authentic selves. Being trans doesn't make them a threat, it only makes them more vulnerable to violence from cisgender men. 

My daughter is trans and I am terrified for her safety. Coming as trans saved her life. I know she would be at risk for suicide if she hadn't. Don't force her, and people like her to go back into the closet. Don't make her feel more targeted than she already does. She doesn't deserve this mistreatment for just being herself. 

This proposed regulation has nothing to do with the health of Virginians and everything to do with discrimination. 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.