As an LCSW and someone who has worked with children their entire lives, I take the safety of children very seriously. I seriously hope that VDH is looking at all the data on Virginia's children and who we deem at risk here in the commonwealth and how we protect them. Considering suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death in 10-14 years olds AND than trans youth are the HIGHEST at risk, this makes me question how are are looking at all of the considerations of this issue and who is truly at risk. There is so much data our there supported by Virginia school counselors, NASW, APA, the list goes on about how we best support trans youth--please read it. On the matter of school bathrooms--again why are health professionals not looking at the rates that trans people are harmed in restrooms and harmed in general? It appears people are afraid based on biased fears or one anectdotal story, however the story and data suggest that our trans youth might be one of the most vulnerable at the moment. I cannot pretend to have all the answers on how we tackle school sports, but it seems that demonizing an entire population of youth for every single sport feels harmful. Could individual sports set criteria or ways to monitor to support a tournament of merit? Look at how other states have protected the rights of ALL children?

I agree with those who have commented that this impacts such a small category of people when VDH really should be looking at large issues that are truly harming a larger number of VA's children. Please protect ALL children and look at data.