RICHMOND, VA — The hotly contested governor’s race in Virginia has elevated the issue of men in women’s spaces as a critical issue for voters in the state. Today, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has taken action, through the implementation of Executive Directive 14, to protect women’s and girls’ health and safety in single-sex spaces. The directive, applauded by Independent Women as a major win in the battle for women’s safety in Virginia, requires the Virginia Board of Health to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety, privacy, and dignity of women and girls in their spaces.

“Governor Youngkin’s directive is a welcome step toward restoring fairness and protecting the integrity of women’s sports and private spaces. Virginia is sending a clear message: biology matters, and women and girls deserve equal opportunities to compete, thrive, and feel safe,” said Beth Parlato, senior legal counsel for Independent Women and a Virginia resident. “For too long, policymakers have ignored the undeniable truth that sex-based differences matter. This is not about politics; it’s about preserving decades of progress for women and standing up for basic common sense.”

Independent Women was an early leader who elevated the issue of men invading women’s spaces across the country through its grassroots storytelling and original journalism arm, Independent Women’s Features (IW Features).

IW Features has repeatedly exposed public schools in Virginia that have prioritized gender ideology over student safety and privacy, and violated Title IX by allowing boys into girls’ locker rooms and private spaces—bringing national attention to the issue of women’s spaces in Virginia. Following a July Department of Education announcement to hold school districts in Northern Virginia accountable for violating Title IX, IW Features released a report on how Northern Virginia school districts are risking millions in federal funding by denying Title IX’s sex protections.

Independent Women’s Ambassador Program has helped give a voice to women harmed by the inclusion of males in their sports and spaces. Ambassadors Payton McNabb, Linnea Saltz, and Kim Russell have traveled the country to testify and share their stories, highlighting the untold fallout from leaders who fail to protect the dignity and safety of women.

Payton McNabb, Independent Women sports ambassador and former high school athlete, said: “As a young woman who’s lived through the consequences of bad policies, I’m grateful for Governor Youngkin’s action. Every girl deserves to feel safe and respected in her own spaces. This directive is the kind of leadership we need—one that values our safety, privacy, and dignity. Protecting sex-separated spaces isn’t controversial; it’s common sense.”

Linnea Saltz, Independent Women sports ambassador and former NCAA track and field athlete, said: “I am so proud to be a resident of Virginia—a state that has a governor who is standing up to protect all women. This executive directive is a meaningful and necessary step toward ensuring that women and girls have safe spaces in which they can thrive. Women deserve every opportunity to compete on a fair and level playing field, to be respected in their privacy, and to live and participate without fear. I applaud Governor Youngkin for prioritizing the health, safety, and equity of women across Virginia. Today, we affirm that women should never have to compromise their security or fairness in sport or in daily life—and that in Virginia, they won’t have to.”

Coach Kim Russell, Independent Women sports ambassador and former women’s lacrosse coach at Oberlin College, said: “This can’t happen soon enough. One woman or girl feeling uncomfortable and unsafe is too many. It’s imperative to know that allowing males into women’s private spaces teaches women and girls to ignore their intuition when they feel unsafe. Not only has the narrative taught them to ignore their intuition, it’s conditioned them to be silent, and taught them not to fear males who enter women’s private spaces. This grooms girls and women to be sexually assaulted and trafficked. What is the kindest thing to do? No males in women’s sports or private spaces! As a coach for over 30 years, I can tell you that most girls aren’t comfortable undressing in front of other girls, much less fully intact males! Allowing this is sexual assault. Thank you, Governor Youngkin.” 

Independent Women’s ambassadors have testified before a number of state legislatures across the U.S. and before Congress, driving policies to protect women’s spaces.

See below to learn more about Independent Women’s work on the front lines in the fight to protect the safety, privacy, and dignity of women’s spaces across the country:

Direct media inquiries and booking requests to [email protected]. 

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