A bubbling controversy over a transgender bathroom and locker room policy in a Virginia school district could have an outsized impact on the state’s elections this November.
The story began earlier this month when local reporter Nick Minock uncovered that the Loudoun County Public School District (LCPS) was “investigating three high school boys who said they were uncomfortable with a female student using the boys’ locker room.” LCPS board policy “allows students to use bathrooms and locker rooms according to their gender identification, rather than biological sex.”
According to Minock’s investigation, a female student who identifies as male began regularly using the boys’ locker room at an LCPS high school this spring. In March, after gym class, the female student used her phone to record a video of the boys saying they were uncomfortable with a girl in their locker room – a clear violation of district policy that prohibits video recording in bathrooms and locker rooms.
But in response, instead of punishing the female student, LCPS opened a sexual harassment investigation into the three boys who said they felt uncomfortable with a girl in the boys’ locker room.
“Other boys were uncomfortable [with a female in the boys’ locker room],” a father of one of the boys explained. “There were other boys asking the same question. They [LCPS] created a very uncomfortable situation. They’re young, they’re 15 years old. They’re expressing their opinions, and now they’re being targeted for expressing those opinions.”
“I have a daughter that’s in high school as well, and if there was a male in there videotaping her in the locker room, I would have issues,” another father told a local ABC affiliate. “If it’s my son and there’s a female in the locker room videotaping, I have issues. Even if it was somebody of the same sex, I believe that this is an invasion of their privacy.”
In response to this latest outrage, Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares have announced an investigation into LCPS. “I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have a member of the opposite sex in the locker room where people were obviously changing clothes, and then later, on top of that, recording it,” Miyares said. “Even though they’re the victims in this, somehow, they’re being treated as perpetrators. I think this is an example, yet again, of a school district that tries to be so open-minded their brain falls out.”
The school district’s actions have also led to outrage among the community. Hundreds of parents and community members showed up to an LCPS board meeting on May 20. Minock reported that a vast majority of the meeting’s audience supported the three boys.
However, as concerned parents spoke, board members Melinda Mansfield and Anne Donohue interrupted them for allegedly violating public comment policy. Mansfield threatened to prohibit any more people from speaking and recessed the meeting at one point.
While the backlash brewing in Loudoun County is indicative of broader national opposition to left-wing transgender bathroom and locker room policies, it may also influence Virginia’s elections this November – and bears a striking similarity to the firestorm that engulfed the same district four years ago.
In 2021, LCPS was again at the center of national attention over the same transgender bathroom policy after district officials covered up an alleged rape and sexual assault committed by a student who identified as transgender.
As AMAC Newsline reported, in May 2021 a male student who identified as female raped a ninth grade girl in the bathroom of Stone Bridge High School. Instead of taking any disciplinary action against that student, school administrators worked to cover up the incident and transferred the offender to another district high school, where he sexually assaulted a second girl in a classroom.
In 2023, a jury found former LCPS superintendent Scott Ziegler guilty of using his position to retaliate against a teacher who attempted to expose the scandal.
That saga would ultimately become a major storyline in Virginia’s elections that year – and perhaps sealed the fate of Democrat gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe. While Youngkin, Miyares, and lieutenant governor candidate Winsome Sears called on LCPS to repeal its transgender bathroom policy, McAuliffe refused to condemn the district and stand with the victims – a failure that was replayed over and over in negative campaign ads that fall.
This latest incident may present a similar opportunity for Sears – now the Republican nominee for governor – to draw a contrast with Democrat nominee Abigail Spanberger.
Spanberger, a former congresswoman who has carefully worked to build a reputation as a moderate despite her far-left voting record, has steered clear of the controversy so far. But if Sears and Virginia Republicans can keep the pressure on, she will be forced to either side with far-left gender ideologues, alienating parents, or side with the parents and students, thus angering her far-left base.
Once again, education, student safety, and parental rights could be the defining issues of Virginia’s elections. If Republicans seize the moment and explain how what is happening at LCPS is what is in store for the rest of Virginia under Democrat rule, that could be good news for the GOP’s chances this fall.
I’m sorry folks, for thousands of years, there were two genders: male, female. (XY, XX) This so called “gender dysphoria” is a euphemism for mental illness. To put it in the vernacular, “you ain’t right in the head.”
For the other 98% of us, these warped policies fly in the face of decency, common sense and biological science.
Good grief, this is getting old.
So I guess it’s OK for a gender dysphoric individual to video tape underage teens. Elsewhere, this would be called a violation of the boy’s privacy, and child porn. As a parent I would be calling in the FBI and would not quit until the girl, her parents, and any school official pinning this on the boys, is in jail.
Simply put, it is illegal to video tape underage teens in the locker room no matter who does it.
As for the previous incident where girls were raped at 2 different schools by a boy calling himself a girl. The rapes should solve the question of what gender HE is.
Those who push this transgender in garbage are evil. No other way to put it. It’s just plain satanic and flies in the face of Creation.
What are is in the water in Loudon County. I receive daily reports from Parents Defending Education ( also donate money) and Loudon County School District is in these newsletters more than anywhere in the country. That place is a mess. Sure hope they throw out the maniacs that are pushing these “Woke” ideas for the sake of the kids and parents sanity. Just unbelievable…….
Transgenderism is a mental illness. Instead of accommodating these people in their sickness, they should be sent for help. Those who promote and advocate thus insanity are just plain evil and should be treated accordingly.
Parents definitely have rights. They created the child. And Transgender is not acceptable by normal people. 2 sexes…male/female. No reason to have, a male at birth, in a female’s locker room.
Loudoun County Public Schools are a disgrace. If you can afford to pull your students out and send them anywhere else, consider doing so. That’s not a school system, it’s a left wing looney bin!
Seems to me that the entire school board ought to be tossed out on their behinds, Given the size of the district country-wide, I’l bet they are paid board members, Parents are the ones who should make these decisions, not some board members acting according to their own beliefs. It is parents who should take charge. Get rid of all board members who think their agenda beats that of the parents of the school children.
i’m an adult female. i do not want bio males in my locker room!
There needs to be a limit to everything that should be respected by all, no exceptions. Physical attributes should indicate which facility to use and on which team to compete. Emotional and mental state is a separate issue.
When will it sink in to these liberal leftists that the majority of people do not agree with them? They are supposed to represent the community, not just the transgenders.
No need for discussion. Put a stop to it. Discard the political trash which introduced the concept and imposes it upon everyone else.
Folks, many won’t agree with me, that’s OK. The only 1 that I must follow is our Lord God Jesus. This is not His way, therefore I can’t agree to follow along with those that want this.
I am a 70 year old man and I think I would like to enroll in that school and claim I am a female. Just kidding of course. This whole belief of supporting transgender is absolutely immoral and hurtful to all our youth. What are we doing to these kids? Raising a society of deviants. Living in this world nowadays is hard enough so why make it worse.
It frightens me to know that, in 4 years, there must have been school board elections and apparently, the voters in the Loudoun County Public School District (LCPS) cannot manage to remember what is going on in thier school distrcit to their children for long enough to vote these nutballs out. YOU GET WHAT YOU VOTE FOR. Maybe this time…?
Add pervert to the list of things that define the word “Democrat”. These people are way beyond sick!
Too many liberal idiots out there that think all this crap is okay. I am so glad my kids are grown and my grandkids are in a school that doesn’t go along with all this BS.
Gadz. I knew I was a BOY when I was still in diapers. This gender changing and gender identity and orientation in schools all the way to preschool is a sick and demented illness of teachers and administrators. As AMAC Newsline reported, in May 2021 a male student who identified as female raped a ninth grade girl in the bathroom of Stone Bridge High School. Instead of taking any disciplinary action against that student, school administrators worked to cover up the incident and transferred the offender to another district high school, where he sexually assaulted a second girl in a classroom. IT MUST STOP NOW!!
and to think these leftist dopes, the dumos, donkey dung think President Trump is the problem in this country! where did these morons come from???
those pervs who want men in girls locker rooms need to be strung up by the —–! don’t these young girls, women have any rights!!! i’ll tell you what when these pervs who think they are female prove it by castration – then the girls may be safe!!!
The Bible says “Professing to be wise, they became fools.”
Our freakshow world just keeps on hanging on. I see a lot getting fixed by our president but there’s going to be a lot of this ‘sickness’ outside of his influence to track down and weed out yet before we can say the freakshow’s over.
It’s good to see people are ignoring the trolls.
The Boys are the perpetrators and the girls the victims. People speaking for the boys are shut down and this free speech the dems scream about for illegal
criminals in this country is according to these dems taken away. Only young boys who complain about something, these same dems, are pushing so hard to look progressive. But they are not. Every time they take the case up for the perpetrator. Ever since Floyd the victims have become the one they arrest and lock up and the criminals are applauded and monument erected for and million dollars in damages paid. With tax money mind you. Floyd was 50% responsible in his death by taking drugs over a long period of time. But the democrat mind set is what they say is right against all common sense. They needed a martyr and Floyd was it. Like in Loudon county they heralded a rapist and made the victim a criminal. Even put her dad in jail. Just because they could do it. The mind set in that county allowed it. Even if there was a handful that was opposed they would get the FBI to bring a visit to these opponents. But we are humane, the democrats keep saying. They go to El Salvador advocating for criminals. These bathroom, locker room gender problem will continue as long as support to the LGB etc and Trans minority is championed till reparations have been paid. The democrats will mandate this till the end of time. This might be why they lose elections. They are betting on the wrong horse.
What happened to common decency? This “she/he” should be removed from the locker room immediately.
LCPS board policy “allows students to use bathrooms and locker rooms according to their gender identification, rather than biological sex.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What could possibly go wrong with that policy???
Sexual predators take note!
Call me a crazy old man … but if you were born with a penis between your thighs … you are and will always remain (even after sexual reassignment surgery) a biological MALE. If you were born with a vagina between your thighs … you were and always will remain (even with sexual reassignment surgery) a biological FEMALE. You can TRY to convince me otherwise all that you want … ain’t happening. Not from Missouri though, I ‘calls them the way I sees them …’
Loudon County school board all need prosecuted!
It’s ridiculous, ludicrous, continuing with this Mental Disorder as it’s Normal when believing you are not the Biological Sex, with the XY Chromosomes, you were born with. A man is a man and a woman is a woman, period! If, you believe differently, you have a Mental Disorder and you need Therapy. All this is to say, men are totally different from women and there must be Laws signifying the difference. Hereby, men and women need their own Same Sex Facilities, Same Sex Sports Competitions, ect…Why!?! Because there is a distinct difference between the two! And, to top it off, while more importantly, there is the Christian Moral Issue. ALMIGHTY GOD, states clearly, HE created the two sexes: Men and Women. And, gave Laws/Commands Governing between the two. Time to stop this Homosexual Issue thats fast becoming a Blight on Humanity!
What’s the question?!? Sears is Right, as in correct! The BOY who said he ‘identified’ as a girl yet raped a real girl helped explain the problem with the idea of
‘I identify’ nonsense. Boys and their male anatomy belong in boys teams, locker rooms and showers ONLY!
Girls belong in girls teams, showers & locker rooms only!
And no person is to be making photos or videos of anyone in toilets, locker rooms or showers at all ever!!!!
It is not rocket science. So many, not all, on the left are trying to change some things that can not be changed.
Here is how it goes people….girls go in the girl’s locker room, and boys go in the boys locker room!! A five year old knows that! These ridiculous, idiot liberals who all want the sexes mixed up and are totally against the SCIENCE of Biology are seeing how far we will let them go. They need to be put in their places by judges who have some sense..if there are ANY REMAINING! Get males OUT OF female sports….period! This is the most appalling, stupid issue of our times.
School boards adopt outsized authority. Parents need to get involved and make a plan to dial these activist boards down to reason again.
What bothers me the most is how that teenager got away with rape. If he doesn’t pay the consequences for his crimes, there’s a serial rapist in the making there. He’s not going to stop just at two. He might be a next Ted Bundy.
As far as I’m concerned, he and everyone, who tried to cover this up, should be incarcerated.
If you can’t look down while taking a shower and tell what your gender is, the problem isn’t what’s between your legs but what’s between your ears – and this goes for their lunatic enablers as well.
The blame for all this should not be solely on the school board. These people are freaky and nutty to begin with (and so are their decisions). The blame can be shared with those who voted them into their positions and those who voted for democrats in this county and state. This is a prime example consistent with the quote, “election have consequences.” Keep voting for democrats and live with the consequences.
DEMORATS WHAT A F…ING JOKE
I had heard that this transgender rapist had done the same thing at a previous school before he did it at LCPS. Then LCPS sent him to another school and he did it again. I’d say he’s a serial.
The school district is being controlled by a bunch of morons.
Where’s the common sense and common decency. This shouldn’t even be an issue! Bots are boys and girls, are girls. Cellphones shouldn’t be allowed in locker rooms as well!
The entire BS argument can be solved with another bathroom for the transgender to use and stay out of BOTH male and female bathrooms. It is a stupid argument and many lie, especially those who side with the illogical use of bathrooms.
When I was 5 years old I asked my father why I could not be a girl. She made me take my pants down and look! Then asked me: What do you see? I said my penis…. He said there is your answer!
Biological born sex cannot be changed!
Love this line “…to be so open-minded their brain falls out.”
There are two Genders.
Male and female.
If your born a male that’s what you are.
If your born female that’s what you are.
I am also,getting SICK AND TIRED OF THIS GENDER TRANSITION.
STOP THE INSANITY!
I am sorry But when the Boys Beat the crap of this fruit cake who is going to record that? There are only two and your felling’s don’t matter. The school district should all be voted out and face charges.
If yhat stuff happened in 21 and a Republican was elected then why is this still an issue? You would think the state government vould rein this in. Maybe dissolving the federal DOE will free them up to defund thst district. More liberal, left wing nonsense with the tail wagging the dog.
Yeesh! When did Virginian men and women become perverse demented girly boys and lesbians? What’s in their water, and where are the mental institutions?
NO More of this nationwide
These people are just sick……………..
Progressive Leftist Liberal lunacy and America is going along with the insanity. Absurdity at it’s utmost.
Good! It’s about time some ‘common sense’ STARTED to PREVAIL in Politics!!!