Virginia Governor Issues Directive on Transgender Participation in Female Sports and Spaces

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has issued a new Executive Directive instructing the state’s Board of Health to draft regulations that would restrict transgender-identifying males from participating in female sports and using female-designated spaces. The move, announced Thursday, immediately sparked debate over fairness in athletics, privacy, and the scope of state authority in defining eligibility for sex-separated activities.

Youngkin Frames Move as a Safety and Privacy Measure

In his announcement, Youngkin framed the directive as a response to what he called concerns about the “health, safety, privacy, dignity, and respect” of women and girls in certain settings. He cited examples from Virginia schools and sports teams where, he argued, current policies have caused tension and discomfort.

“It is an embarrassment and a tragedy that certain individuals continue to turn a blind eye to these clear violations of the law and of the health, safety, privacy, dignity, and respect of Virginians,” Youngkin said in a statement.

The directive — Executive Directive 14 — instructs the Board of Health to move forward with formal rulemaking that could limit access to female-only sports teams and facilities for individuals who were assigned male at birth but identify as female.

Triggered by Petition From Female Athletes

The action follows a petition filed with the Board of Health by three female athletes in Virginia who said they were directly impacted by competing against transgender-identifying male athletes in collegiate sports. The petition called on the state to revise health regulations to “prevent biological males from participating in organized female-only athletic teams and competitions in Virginia” and to restrict access to female-designated spaces where women and girls may be undressed, such as locker rooms and changing areas.

The Board of Health has now accepted the petition, a procedural step that allows the proposed regulatory changes to be considered for publication and public comment under state law.

Broader Political and Legal Context

Youngkin’s move comes amid a growing national debate about the participation of transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports. Several states have passed or proposed laws restricting participation to athletes whose sex assigned at birth matches the category of competition. Supporters of such measures argue they protect fairness and safety, while opponents say they discriminate against transgender individuals and violate federal protections under Title IX.

Youngkin praised former President Donald Trump and federal agencies under his administration for their approach to Title IX and sports eligibility. The Biden administration has taken the opposite stance, interpreting Title IX to protect transgender students’ participation in programs consistent with their gender identity.

Next Steps

The Virginia Board of Health must now determine how to advance the rulemaking process. If it publishes a notice of proposed regulations, the public will have an opportunity to comment before any final rules are adopted. Legal challenges are expected if the regulations move forward, with advocates for transgender rights signaling they will oppose the directive.

The move sets up a potentially high-profile legal and political fight in Virginia, testing how far states can go in shaping policies on sports participation and access to facilities amid evolving federal guidance.