To Whom it May Concern,

I strongly oppose the petition submitted by the Family Foundation to amend regulations to ban transgender women from sports and declare that trans women are a public health threat. 

This petition is not about safety. Instead, it is furthering a narrative of hate and fear and discrimination against trans people, and we Virginians do not stand for that.

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.  

The Department of Health serves to protect the health and promote the well-being of ALL people in Virginia. Across all 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 would rather the Department of Health focus on the very real and dire maternal health crisis or any number of actual public health threats that are currently facing the Commonwealth.

Thank you,

Jennifer