I am a woman who lives in Arlington County, VA and I oppose Action 4905.

Please do not discriminate against and exclude gender divergent persons in the name of protecting women. The Board of Health should be focusing on the real public health issues facing women and girls in Virginia, like domestic violence, maternal health, lack of access to healthcare, and poverty. It is not appropriate for the Board of Health to label groups of people harmful based on who they are. Please focus your efforts on promoting the well-being of ALL people in Virginia rather than attacking a small, marginalized group of people.

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. 

Although I am not a trans person, I have loved ones who are and I have tried to educate myself and learn about gender identity. Trans people are already facing so much discrimination and hate these days. For trans people I know, they are just trying to live their lives. They are demonstrating tremendous courage to be themselves in an environment that tries to erase them. Can you imagine being told you don't exist, there is no place for you in society, that you are a threat? How about not being able to find a bathroom to use in public spaces, to be threatened by arrest if you use a bathroom that matches your identity? These attacks on trans people also open all of us up to attacks on our rights. I don't want the government policing which bathroom I use or questioning my gender, which has happened to many people who are not trans. 

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.

Thank you.