Earle-Sears decries Fairfax transgender policy as 'nonsense' at campaign stop

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee for governor, denounced Fairfax County Public Schools' transgender bathroom policy as 'nonsense' during a campaign stop outside a FCPS board meeting in Fairfax County on Thursday. She told a cheering crowd that 'look at all of our wonderful parents who are saying that we’re not for nonsense' and argued that the safety of girls in locker rooms depends on the policy.

FCPS policy requires speakers at board meetings to be Fairfax County or Fairfax City residents, or residents from outside the county with a FCPS student in the household. Earle-Sears does not live in Fairfax, a Washington, D.C. suburb. Earlier this month, FCPS faced criticism after a male student with facial hair was allowed to use the girls' room at West Springfield High School, with reports that he 'stood there and watched' the girls, according to a civil rights complaint reported by the New York Post. FCPS staff on Monday said the district shortened the time girls could use the locker room so the boy could use it 'without them being in their presence.'

Earle-Sears pressed reporters to press her opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, to spell out her position on transgender bathroom and sports policies, arguing that the Democrat backed 'unsafe measures' that would force girls to undress in front of men. She invoked Title IX, saying critics misinterpret it and that it should be used to protect girls' rights. She also cited the Parents Bill of Rights in Congress in 2023 as evidence of what she would defend, noting that the bill would have required parental notification if a child expressed a desire to transition or was in the process of doing so, and would require parents to be informed if violence occurred in schools. All Democrats and five Republicans voted against the bill, which passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

Spanberger, asked about the issue, said she supports an individualized approach based on age, sport, and competitiveness, and would seek legislation that allows for case-by-case determinations. 'I’m the mom of three daughters in Virginia public schools, and I recognize the concern families may have about safety, fairness, and opportunity,' she told reporters in Roanoke. 'The process that was in place for 10 years was working and should continue to take local circumstances into account.' Spanberger also noted the broader context of Virginia’s education and declined to embrace a one-size-fits-all policy.

The debate reflects broader tensions in the Virginia race over how to balance safety, privacy, and inclusion in schools, and it spotlights how local policy decisions are leveraged in statewide campaigns. As campaigns push their respective visions for public education, voters are watching how candidates propose to handle disputes that intersect with gender identity, parental rights, and the role of school districts in governance.