I am a long-time resident of Arlington, Virginia, and strongly oppose Petition 432.

Petition 432 is not about locker rooms and sports—it’s about whether discrimination becomes official state policy. The Board of Health should never be in the business of labeling entire groups of people as “harmful” simply for being who they are.

Virginia’s women and girls face genuine public health challenges—domestic violence, maternal health disparities, and poverty, to name just a few. This petition does nothing to address these urgent issues. Instead, not only will it distract the Board from its mission of protecting the health and well-being of every Virginian, but also it will actually worsen health outcomes.

No matter what our race, background, gender, or gender identity, we all deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness. This petition is part of a coordinated, nationwide push by narrow-minded special interest groups to force transgender and LGBTQ+ people out of public life. These attacks harm all of us—gay or straight, transgender or not—because they spread fear, fuel division, and divert attention from the real challenges facing our communities.

I’ve seen the strength and resilience of my trans friends, colleagues, and family members, and I worry deeply about the harm this petition would cause.

Mental Health Risks – Denying trans persons the right to participate in sports teams and organizations consistent with their gender identity will increase rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among that population.

Barriers to Medically Necessary Care - If Petition 432 results in policies that restrict or stigmatize gender-affirming healthcare, transgender individuals—especially youth—may lose access to medically necessary treatments. This can cause severe distress, worsen health outcomes, and force families to forego care altogether.

Increased Stigma and Discrimination - Official action by the Board of Health labeling transgender people or their healthcare as “harmful” would legitimize discrimination, increasing social stigma and leading to more harassment, exclusion, and violence against transgender people in public life.

Distraction from Real Public Health Issues - Focusing on exclusionary policies diverts attention and resources from genuine pressing public health concerns that affect all Virginians, such as domestic violence, maternal health, and poverty. This undermines the Board’s mission to protect and promote the well-being of all residents.

Legal and Ethical Challenges - Approving policies that discriminate against a specific group could expose the Board of Health to legal challenges under constitutional and civil rights laws. Similar policies have been subject to litigation and found to violate equal protection principles.

In summary, approval of Petition 432 will undermine the health and dignity of Virginia’s transgender residents and the broader community. No one should ever face discrimination for being themselves. Trans people have always been part of communities and always will be.

Petition 432 has nothing to do with protecting public health and is, in fact, contrary to the mission of the Board of Health. It is about discrimination, plain and simple.

I urge you to reject Petition 432 and stand up for the health, dignity, and equality of all Virginians.