According to Fox News, former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin began the process of barring boys from girls’ scholastic sports. Not only would it stop biological males from competing in female-only athletic teams and competitions in the state, but they would not be able to use female-designated spaces.
However, current Gov. Abigail Spanberger decided to end the rulemaking process, which was expected to take years. News of the decision was only recently released, while it was actually made in July.
The move has sparked immediate pushback from conservative advocates.
Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation of Virginia, says the Spanberger administration is rolling back critical protections for women and girls.
“Although she campaigned as a moderate, she is far from it. She did it quietly in an effort to not upset the overwhelming majority of Virginians that support ensuring only girls are in girls’ sports and only girls are found in girls locker rooms,” Cobb says. “She couldn't help but brag about it to Pride Fest to the community that she appeased, and it was ultimately revealed what she had done."
That sentiment is echoed by Maggie McKneely, Director of Government Relations at Concerned Women for America, who argues that sex-specific protections are non-negotiable for equal opportunity.
“We have an election coming up in Virginia this November, so you need to get out and vote. Vote for the people who support passing laws to protect women’s spaces and women’s sports. Second, call your legislators, call the governor’s office, and say you're not happy about the fact that Spanberger has done this,” McKneely says. “Hold the Virginia government to account. Because unless they hear from voters, it's just going to continue to fly under the radar.”
Supporters of Spanberger's decision — including LGBTQ+ advocates — praised the rollback as a necessary stand against discrimination and a defense of transgender youth. But with advocacy groups mobilizing, this battle over Virginia's public policy and school environments is far from over.
