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John,
The Family Foundation, a Christian, anti-LGBTQ organization, has filed a petition with the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall asking the Virginia Board of Health to amend regulations allowing a ban on transgender women from sports and certain facilities, and declare that trans women are a public health threat to the physical and psychological health of cisgender women. While the petition [[link removed]] refers to sports and locker rooms, it is part of the nationwide, coordinated attack on trans people in every facet of life.
Submitting a public comment is a powerful way to make your voice heard and stand up to this hateful attack on trans Virginians who are our friends, families and neighbors. After the public comment period closes, the Board of Health is required to review all submitted comments within 90 days and will then issue a written decision to grant or deny the petition.
Public comment is open until May 26, 2025. Below we've provided information on how to submit public comment, important considerations, and included a customizable public comment template.
Need help customizing your comment? Just reply to this email and we’re happy to support you.
We've Got This,
Equality Virginia Team
How to Submit Public Comment
Submit your public comment to Virginia Regulatory Town Hall using this link [[link removed]] before May 26th.
* Your name and email are optional. If you include your name it will be attached to your comment and publicly visible and searchable.
* Include a subject line or title.
* Select your state from the dropdown menu.
* Type or copy in your comment. Please note that there is a 3,000 word limit.
Once submitted, your comment will become public information. Please do not include any personal information you would not like to make public.
Please note: Individuals and organizations who support this petition will also be submitting public comments, meaning you may see comment titles that spread misinformation and use dehumanizing language that don’t accurately represent the lived experience of transgender Virginians. You do not have to read these titles, or the full comments, to submit your own.
Public Comment Template
This is a customizable template. Feel free to modify any sections to match your voice and perspective.
I live in CITY/COUNTY and I oppose Petition 432.
This petition is not about locker rooms. 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:]
* Your experience as a trans person facing discrimination in public spaces
* What you’ve learned from a trans friend or family member
* Your concerns about the potential for harm if the Board of Health acts on this petition
* What you learned from participating in sports, such as respect or teamwork
* Your priorities for improving health in Virginia, especially if you work in health care or education
* This petition 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.
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