I live in Prince William County 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 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. 

I work in health care, and several of my patients have reported experiencing harassment and violent threats in bathrooms. These patients identify as transgender, and they are simply using the facilities as any human would. They now experience fear and anxiety about using public restrooms and are experiencing associated health concerns from holding their bladders and stool. No one should be afraid to use public restrooms or public spaces. There is no threat to anyone when a transgender person enters a bathroom to relieve themselves. 
I am committed, as a health care provider, to protecting the health of my patients. I’m here to advocate for their needs, not only in the restrooms, but on sports teams, in commercial spaces, schools, and professional spaces, as well. There are many health benefits to being and feeling included, and these laws do nothing to promote health.

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.