Virginia Governor Refuses to Answer Transgender Student’s Question
At a CNN town hall event on Thursday night, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) was asked a difficult question by a transgender high school student, Niko. Niko asked the governor if the girls in their high school would feel comfortable sharing a restroom with them. The governor refused to answer the question, instead choosing to talk about his belief in strong parent-child relationships and his policy of providing gender-neutral facilities.
Niko and their dad appeared to be disappointed by the response, and many Twitter users noted their “dubious expression.” Many critics have accused the governor of avoiding the student’s question and not taking a stand for the rights of trans students.
The governor has already rolled back protections for trans students, and has proposed policies that would limit their participation in athletics and their usage of bathrooms. His refusal to answer Niko’s question signals an unwillingness to support the rights of transgender students, and further erodes their sense of safety and acceptance in their school.
Governor Youngkin’s refusal to answer the question raises concerns about the safety and well-being of transgender students in Virginia. It is essential that the governor take a stand to support the rights of transgender students, and ensure that they are able to participate in school activities, use the restroom that they feel comfortable in, and feel accepted and safe in their school environment.
