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Under the previous administration, schools were permitted to implement policies that allowed transgender students to use girls-only spaces, such as locker rooms. This has proven to be bad policy, and in some cases, harmful to our girls. Multiple lawsuits, informal complaints, and reports described how some students avoided using the bathroom altogether because they felt unsafe. They witnessed male students inappropriately touching others and watching female students change in girls’ locker rooms.
With this new federal policy, three major changes are being implemented:
First, it rescinds policies and regulations that allowed students to access intimate facilities based on “gender identity” rather than biological sex. Second, a memorandum has been issued to each school division, explaining that future policies must align with Title IX, which guarantees women equal opportunity in education and athletics. Third, all policies relating to Title IX must now adopt biology-based definitions of the words “male” and “female.”
These are common-sense changes, and I am glad to see the Trump administration reining in school districts whose policies have put students at risk. We have fought for decades to ensure that girls have equal opportunities in education, sports, and fair treatment, and these changes help protect those hard-earned rights.
This issue is also deeply personal to me. I sponsored a bill in last year’s legislative session to ensure that boys are not allowed to play on girls' sports teams. It is not fair for average or below- average male to come into female sports and dominate because they are bigger, faster, and stronger. Our girls deserve a level playing field. This isn’t just about winning trophies; it’s about the girl who got cut from the basketball team to make room for a boy, or the girl who was injured after being slide-tackled by a much stronger player and can no longer play the sport she loves.
To me, this is simply a matter of basic fairness. As my good friend Lt. Governor Winsome Sears often says, the arguments against these policies just don’t hold water. I believe she’s exactly right—because it’s only reasonable that girls should compete against girls, and boys against boys. That’s also why I believe she’ll make an excellent Governor: she leads with clarity, stands firmly for our girls, and is committed to ensuring that every student feels safe at school.
This new policy represents a much-needed course correction, one that prioritizes the safety of our children and preserves fairness across our educational and athletic systems. I will continue to advocate for our girls, fighting to make sure they have the opportunities, protection, and respect they deserve.
I’m pleased to see these important changes taking place.
My staff and I are always here to assist you with any issues or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can be of service. You can reach us at 434.374.5129 or by email at
[email protected]
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