Virginia’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger faced questions about her support for transgender individuals in women’s sports and bathrooms during a recent interview.
When asked about her stance on the matter, Spanberger shared that Virginia has a “process” allowing schools, parents, and coaches to make decisions focused on fairness, competitiveness, and safety for each individual case.
The reporter pressed further, asking, “Do you support trans women playing in girls’ sports and using girls’ bathrooms?”
Spanberger replied, noting that Virginia had processes in place for years allowing individual schools, parents, and coaches to make decisions. Over a decade, roughly 40 students navigated this process, with some being approved and others denied the chance to compete.
Describing the system as a “parent-involving process,” she emphasized the role of coaches and school districts, calling it a “working system.”
When queried about supporting a bill for transgender individuals using women’s facilities and participating in girls’ sports, Spanberger stated she would advocate for legislation that grants flexibility to local governments, depending on the child’s age and competitiveness.
“I fully support a bill that establishes clear provisions for many localities based on factors like competitiveness and age,” she added.
Reportedly, Virginia’s government and Republican candidates have positioned themselves against allowing biological males in women’s sports, suggesting that Spanberger has not clearly defined her perspective.
7News has been striving to get clear answers on the contentious bathroom and locker room policies affecting Northern Virginia’s school community. Reporter Nick Minnock raised the issue with Spanberger during a media event in Fairfax County.
During this interaction, Minnock asked Spanberger if she would back policies that let “biological men using women’s facilities claim they are women participating in women’s sports.” He highlighted the Department of Education’s decision to withhold federal funds from five school districts refusing to amend their bathroom policies.
In her response, Spanberger criticized the Trump administration for pulling financial support from Virginia’s schools, labeling it an assault on the state’s educational system and its children.
