I live in Rockingham 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. 

[Include one or two personal statements, such as:]

• My trans daughter is 7 years old and has identified as a girl since she was able to talk. She lived with family members for over 6 months who only affirmed her biological sex and legal name. She came home to me angry and sad. She wanted all her nightgowns and dresses back. She only wants to play with her friends in basketball and soccer and enjoy being a kid. Her gender identity should not impact her ability to play organized sports with her peers. 

• My fear as a parent is that by enacting laws like this my child will no longer be able to engage in youth sports. She will be outed by this which will make her a target for those who want to harm transgender people and do not see her as a human being. I want to keep her safe and I've followed all the science and recommendations of her pediatrician and counselors by affirming her identity. 

• As an elementary school teacher I am constantly teaching my students to be kind and include everyone regardless of what the other person's religion, beliefs, abilities, or values are. This law would oppose that by excluding people who are different from the "norm". 

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.