1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen of Virginia who believes in the fundamental principles of freedom, equality, and justice for all. I am deeply troubled by recent legislative actions in Iowa that have removed gender identity protections from their civil rights code. I urge you to take a stand to protect human rights and gender identity in Virginia, as doing so is essential to preventing hate crimes and other atrocities against our fellow Virginians. Research and statistics have shown that hate crimes against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are on the rise. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, there were 11,862 hate crime incidents reported in 2023, with 4.1% of these incidents motivated by gender identity bias. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for robust legal protections to safeguard the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity (Department of Justice, 2025). Protecting gender identity in our civil rights code is not only a matter of justice but also a reflection of our shared values as Americans. As citizens, we have always championed the principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government intervention. By ensuring that all Virginians are protected from discrimination, we uphold these core values and demonstrate our commitment to creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. When Virginias thrive, so does our economy. Protecting gender identity can have positive economic implications for our state. Studies have shown that inclusive policies lead to a more diverse and innovative workforce, which in turn drives economic growth and prosperity. By fostering an environment where all individuals feel safe and valued, we can attract top talent and encourage businesses to invest in Virginia (CBC News, 2025; World Economic Forum, 2024; Policy Options, 2020). I respectfully urge you to support legislation that protects gender identity in our civil rights code. By doing so, we can prevent hate crimes, promote equality, and uphold the values that make our nation great. References: CBC News. (2025). Latest Canada, World, Entertainment and Business News. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news Department of Justice. (2025). Homepage. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/ World Economic Forum. (2024). Here's how inclusion benefits the global economy. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/how-inclusion-benefits-global-economy/ Policy Options. (2020). Policies for inclusive growth are essential for our time. Retrieved from https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/march-2020/policies-for-inclusive-growth-are-essential-for-our-time/