While Youngkin advocated for more “gender-neutral toilets,” he was opposed to women participating in sports.
A transgender kid in Virginia contacted Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday, asking him to uphold the state’s regulations on using the restroom and participating in sports.
Throughout September, Youngkin’s government revised state policy on transgender students’ access to and treatment in public institutions. Currently, students may only join sports teams and use facilities designated for their biological gender, regardless of their gender identification.
Public school pupils now require parental consent before legally changing either their name or their pronoun preference.
During Thursday’s CNN town hall, a transgender student identified as “Nico,” 17, asked Youngkin about these restrictions during the Q&A session.
“Pay attention to me. I identify as a guy but was born a woman “The comment came from Nico. “Would the girls at my high school mind if I used their bathroom?”
Youngkin began by thanking the student for attending the event and contributing to the important dialogue.
“First, I believe that parents have a greater impact on their children’s decision-making when they are actively engaged in their lives. I had the pleasure of meeting your father, and I think it is fantastic that you and your father are here today “Those were his words.
Later, Youngkin said that many kids will have input toward the outcome. In addition, he emphasized the significance of accommodating kids by calling attention to the shortage of gender-neutral restrooms in schools.
He even went so far as to say that anyone can use whatever restroom they like.
When asked again if transgender men and women are allowed to participate in sports, Youngkin provided a far more definitive answer.
“When it comes to sports, I don’t find them difficult to follow or comprehend. Biological females and boys shouldn’t participate in sports together, in my opinion, “His words. “Decades of effort have gone into expanding women’s access to athletic opportunities. And that’s not right. Moreover, I don’t consider that to be very noteworthy or complicated.”
Among the audience, Nico’s father could be seen shaking his head when Youngkin responded.
In October, Youngkin had defended the state policy on CNN. In his words to Jake Tapper: “I’ll introduce these concepts as a starting point. As a first principle, parents should be allowed to participate in their children’s daily activities. Also, children need to have parental involvement. There was an oversight that needed to be rectified. Previous government policies discouraged or even prohibited parental participation. Let’s be clear: this is a right that belongs to parents, and the state does not own children; they belong to their families.”
Tapper pressed the Republican governor on whether the laws would prevent parents who are OK with the idea from allowing their children to participate in activities or join teams based on their gender identification rather than their biological sex.
“Not. Schools are compelled by law to honor parents’ requests to modify their child’s pronoun, name, or restroom usage. When it comes to sports teams, though, things change “Someone, Youngkin, commented.