Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger just discreetly shut down an anti-transgender rulemaking effort that began under former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Under the proposed rules, trans women and girls could have been prevented from joining women’s sports and entering certain women-only facilities, including restrooms and changing areas, according to The Advocate. Youngkin previously directed the Virginia Board of Health to move forward with the effort in October 2025, after the board unanimously approved a petition seeking the restrictions.
Now, that effort is officially marked “Withdrawn” on Virginia’s regulatory docket.
According to WHRO, Spanberger’s administration determined that the Board of Health did not have the legal authority to impose the proposed restrictions. Her administration consulted with Attorney General Jay Jones’ office before making the decision. The rulemaking was terminated July 30 after 321 public comments had been submitted, and no preliminary regulation was drafted.
In other words, a policy started under Youngkin’s administration made its way into Spanberger’s, and she decided it wasn’t going any further.
READ: Once Exposed, Equalpride’s MAGA Board of Director Lasted Less Than a Week
Then Came PrideFest
The timing is hard to ignore.
Spanberger appeared at Virginia PrideFest in Richmond shortly before the withdrawal was reported, speaking to thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies.
She told WHRO that she wanted LGBTQ+ Virginians to know that they have a governor who “values your community.” She also spoke about being moved by the story of a transgender child and their family. After the PrideFest event, Spanberger explained her administration’s decision on the transgender rulemaking.
“There’s no legal authority to move forward with rulemaking,” she said, adding that previous administrations may have tried to create legal avenues for the restrictions, but “we’re not doing that.”
That is a pretty different message from the one Virginians heard during the Youngkin years.
READ: The LGBTQ Organizations Keeping People Safe Are Running Out of Options
Is Spanberger Becoming an Ally to Watch?
There is still plenty of Youngkin-era policy on the books. Spanberger’s decision does not undo Virginia’s 2023 model policies concerning transgender students, which remain the state’s current model guidance for schools. So, no, one withdrawn regulation does not suddenly erase every fight over transgender rights in Virginia.
But it does give LGBTQ+ Virginians something new to watch and something new to hope for.
Spanberger has only been governor since January, and her administration has already stopped one proposed restriction targeting transgender people. She has also chosen to show up at Pride and speak directly to the LGBTQ+ community about her support.
Happy Pride, Virginia! 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/ruj4OsfJ42
— Abigail Spanberger (@SpanbergerForVA) September 13, 2026
Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman welcomed the decision, saying transgender Virginians deserve to use public facilities without fear or discrimination.
For a community that spent years dealing with policies from the previous administration, Spanberger’s approach represents a noticeable change.
Whether that makes her a rising Democratic star nationally remains to be seen.
But for now, Virginia’s new governor has certainly given LGBTQ+ voters a reason to keep an eye on what she does next.