To whom it may concern,

  The Family Foundation has recently filed Petition 432 with the Virginia Board of Health, labeling transgender women a public health threat, and requesting a ban on transgender women’s participation in sports.

I am writing to express my deep concern at the filing of this petition, and to urge the board of health to reject it. If the Board of Health conducts appropriate research, they will see that studies do not support the premise that transgender people are a danger to public health or to the health of the athletes that they compete against. Many sports (by league and by sport) have already made accommodations and guidelines for transgender athletes — all of which are largely inclusive. There is no need for a statewide ban that would ban transgender girls from activities like chess as well as sports like softball, basketball, etc. 

If the board is concerned about public health and women’s sports, they would do better to investigate and curtail sports that regularly cause traumatic brain injuries such as concussions.  They would also do better to investigate reports of abuse by coaches. If proper research is conducted, the board will find that athletes in women’s sports face far more dangerous threats than anything posed by transgender athletes.

Petition 432 is politically motivated, fueled by hate and religious extremism. Do not accept the petition at face value. Medical experts have shown that transgender people do not pose a threat. Virginia should embrace inclusion, care, and dignity for all people. Like any other athlete, transgender athletes simply want to compete with friends for the love of the sport and to live full and meaningful lives.