CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – Who is allowed to compete in women’s sports has been the subject of fierce debate in recent years.
Many Republicans have long pushed for stricter regulations or a flat-out ban from trans athletes competing in women’s sports. Now, the state health department’s board voted to bar transgender athletes from playing.
Democrats worry that vote sets a dangerous precedent, including State Senator Creigh Deeds.
“I don’t see anything good that comes from the health department being involved in this,” Deeds said. “It seems to me that this is just wasted energy.”
Petition 432, passed earlier this week, comes after a similar policy went into effect by the Virginia High School League earlier this year.
When asked whether he supports transgender athletes competing in women’s sport Deeds did not say.
“I prefer to leave it to local school divisions, leave it to the Virginia High School League,” Deeds said.
Deeds said the decision has become highly political. Others agree, including Equality Virginia, an advocacy group working for LGBTQ+ issues.
“It essentially weaponizes a state health agency against its own citizens. This blurs the line between public health and politics,” said Reed Williams, Equality Virginia’s director of digital engagement.
Williams said advocates will keep doing just that. Flooding public comment and fighting for their beliefs.
“The actual rule making process that they are entering into by voting to advance this petition, it will play out behind closed doors over the next 18 to 24 months,” Williams said. “Equality Virginia will constantly be fighting back to ensure that we are protecting trans youth, trans athletes and all LGBTQ Virginians.”
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