Overview

• An Arlington County School Board meeting reviewing its transgender bathroom policy drew protests where a sign reading, “Hey Winsome, if trans can’t share your bathroom, then Blacks can’t share my water fountain,” went viral on social media.
• Republicans and Democrats condemned the message, with Winsome Earle-Sears calling it “disgusting” and Abigail Spanberger labeling it “racist, abhorrent, and unacceptable,” after which media coverage noted she had issued a public statement.
• The woman photographed with the sign told FOX5 the message was intended as satire, and reporting noted she wore a We of Action Virginia shirt, though the group said she is not affiliated with them.
• Republican allies amplified the image, the Arlington GOP’s post drew wide attention, and Earle-Sears’ campaign cut an ad featuring the sign as both sides clashed over school safety, parental rights, and LGBTQ protections.
• The protest and condemnations followed the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights’ move this week to tighten funding to five Northern Virginia districts over Title IX violations, as Earle-Sears pressed her case on Fox News and cited a prior Virginia school assault case to argue for policy changes.