Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger recently expressed her belief that many parents are “confused” about the issues surrounding transgender rights, particularly regarding bathroom and sports participation policies for trans-identifying individuals. In an interview with Katie Couric, Spanberger suggested that much of the debate comes from ignorance, claiming that many people have never met a transgender person and are susceptible to “fearmongering.”
“I think the real challenge is, there’s a lot of people who’ve never met a trans person, whether they’re a trans youth or an adult, and so there’s a real effort to engage in some level of fearmongering,” Spanberger said. “I really do believe that we should as a society, as a whole, demonstrate a fair amount of grace to people who are confused about when we’re talking about bathrooms or when we’re talking about sports participation.”
However, many parents in Virginia and across the country strongly disagree with Spanberger’s assessment. While she attributes their concerns to confusion, parents argue that their worries stem from genuine safety and privacy concerns for their children, particularly in schools and public facilities.
For instance, Jen McDougal, a mother from Virginia, shared her distress about a transgender individual, Richard Cox, who was allowed to enter a women’s locker room and expose himself to her nine-year-old daughter. McDougal stated, “It’s an abuse of women’s right to feel safe in public space... This loophole created this situation for us. He was allowed to enter that restroom, that facility, because he identified as transgender.”
Similarly, a Fairfax County mother explained the situation where her teenage daughter was forced to change in front of a boy in gym class. She said, “At any point, as a parent, your first responsibility is to protect your child. You send them to school, you think they’re safe at school, and my daughter having to worry about a boy looking at her in the locker room is not safe.”
Other parents have recounted experiences of their children being punished for questioning these policies. Seth Wolfe, a father from Loudoun County, shared that his son was suspended and charged with sexual harassment simply for questioning why a girl was in the boys’ locker room. Wolfe lamented, “No parent should have to fear their child will be branded a ‘sexual harasser’ simply for standing up for their privacy.”
The stories from these parents point to a much broader concern than what Spanberger described as “confusion.” Many of these parents believe that lenient transgender policies put their children’s safety and privacy at risk. For example, one Loudoun County father recounted how his son was uncomfortable when a female teammate allegedly walked around the boys' locker room in her underwear, underscoring the discomfort and violation of privacy that some students feel.
While Spanberger’s approach may aim to foster understanding and empathy for the transgender community, these parents argue that their concerns are legitimate and rooted in protecting the safety and well-being of their children. The issue is not about confusion, but about finding a balance that ensures the rights and privacy of all children, regardless of their gender identity.
The divide on this issue continues to grow, with many parents feeling that their voices are being ignored while their children's safety and comfort in public spaces are compromised. This conversation is far from over, and as the debate intensifies, it's clear that the stakes are high for families navigating these complex issues.
